How Man City should line up vs Sheffield United as Erling Haaland decision made

Pep Guardiola says Kevin De Bruyne could be back this week as he steps up his training regime after four months out.

De Bruyne has played just 20 minutes for Manchester City this season after limping off in the opening game of the season at Burnley. City welcome Sheffield United to the Etihad for their final game of an extremely successful 2023, hoping to keep the pressure on Arsenal and Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.

Guardiola said he doubts Erling Haaland will be ready to face the Blades, while John Stones left Goodison Park in a protective boot after picking up an ankle injury vs Everton. Jeremy Doku is also injured and City will hope he is close to a return.

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Read how our writers think City should line up below and use the interactive widget to pick your best starting XI:

Joe Bray

If Kevin De Bruyne is getting closer to a return, the next two games against Sheffield United and Huddersfield could be a chance to ease him back in from the bench. Phil Foden was brilliant at Everton at number 10 but may find his chances limited there when De Bruyne is back - and also Erling Haaland returning would push Julian Alvarez back into number 10. So these two games should be used to give Foden and Alvarez a 'final' chance at no.10 and no.9 to impress Guardiola.

Ruben Dias, if recovered from his illness, can come back to replace Manu Akanji at the back, with Josko Gvardiol able to come in and slot in at left-back with Nathan Ake moving centrally.

In midfield, Matheus Nunes looked bright against Everton, and can start again to continue a decent run of form. With