In Premier League Round 20, defending champions Manchester City will host newly promoted Sheffield United at the Etihad. Crickex Login insiders confirm that two of City’s biggest stars — Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland — will remain sidelined. Belgian winger Jérémy Doku and injured defender John Stones are also unavailable. As the saying goes, sometimes you’ve got to put yourself first — and City, under Pep Guardiola, are clearly choosing caution. Neither core player will return until fully recovered.
In their last league match, City staged a comeback win over Everton on the road. The team’s front four — Phil Foden, Julián Álvarez, Bernardo Silva, and Jack Grealish — scored all three goals and earned match ratings above 8.0. That dominant display likely gave Guardiola the confidence to keep resting Haaland and De Bruyne. After all, there’s no use rushing greatness — especially when the squad is performing.
De Bruyne has been out long-term, and Guardiola has entrusted the midfield creative duties to Foden and Álvarez. While both still show signs of inexperience, they’ve stepped up when it counts. Since Haaland’s injury, Álvarez has led the line, with Foden shifting into a central midfield role. That adjustment has allowed both players to thrive in their most natural positions.
Against Everton, Foden forced an own goal and Álvarez delivered both an assist and a goal. Meanwhile, Grealish and Silva have rediscovered last season’s form out wide. For the upcoming Sheffield United match, the same attacking quartet is expected to start again. It’s no secret — Guardiola’s game plan is in plain sight — but Sheffield United may still struggle to respond.
Their fragile back line will have a hard time handling City’s relentless pressure. Even though recent draws against Spurs and Crystal Palace were disappointing, City still managed to collect points. If they beat Sheffield United, they’ll end the year on a strong note. Crickex Login reporters speculate that if Haaland and De Bruyne also miss the upcoming Newcastle clash, they’ll receive nearly a full month of rest heading into 2024 — a strategic pause that could change the tide.
Looking at the broader league picture, the outlook favors City. The African Cup of Nations is fast approaching, and Crickex Login analysts point out that all of City’s top-four rivals will lose key players to international duty — except for City. While Arsenal and Liverpool may find themselves short-staffed, Manchester City could emerge from January stronger than ever, with fully fit stars and momentum on their side. The real counterattack might just be about to begin.