Pep Guardiola teases new Man City plan with just three defenders to face Manchester United

Pep Guardiola is thinking of how to solve Manchester City's latest defensive crisis with just three senior defenders to choose from for the Manchester Derby.

Rico Lewis's red card at Selhurst Park last week ruled him out of the game against Manchester United, adding to an awful injury situation that sees Manu Akanji, John Stones, and Nathan Ake sidelined. None are expected back for Sunday's game, leaving Guardiola with fewer options than ever.

The trio that are available - Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Kyle Walker - must lift themselves after another error-riddled display in the 2-0 defeat to Juventus in midweek. The performances of Walker and Gvardiol this season would normally put their place in the team at risk, although with no recognised alternatives they are almost certain to play.

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Who the fourth, and possibly fifth, defender is remains to be seen. Guardiola spoke about the options they have been thinking about to face United that include playing wingers in a back five.

"I don't know what I have to do. I need players. We have three and we will see what happens today and tomorrow," he said. "Maybe some winger has to play as a full-back or Matheus [Nunes] can play as a full-back, or maybe can play five at the back with wing-backs as wingers. We are thinking what to do with a situation with just three central defenders."