Before Manchester City’s Premier League encounter this weekend—which will be the last game of 2023—against Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United, manager Pep Guardiola will be missing three important players.

Both England defender John Stones and standout striker Erling Haaland, who has scored 22 goals so far this season, will be sidelined for City due to ankle ailments. They are also without Kevin De Bruyne, a Belgian midfielder, due to a thigh injury.

The Blues are five points behind leaders Liverpool in the Premier League standings at the moment. Maybe sidetracked from their successful World Club Cup campaign in Saudi Arabia. After conceding a goal, they won 3-1 at Everton two days ago to resume Premier League play.

Manchester City were victorious in the earlier encounter this season. City won 2-1 on 27th August 2023 after Rodri netted an 88th-minute winner. Since the two clubs’ first-ever league meeting in 1893, the two clubs have met in 115 league games, in which City have won 50 to 33 United victories (32 draws). The last time the Blades beat Manchester City in a competitive match came in the FA Cup ‘Balloon Gate’ incident in 2007, where the S2 club won 2-1 with goals from Luton Shelton and Jonathan Stead.