On Sunday, the highly-anticipated Manchester Derby of the EPL 2022-23 will occur between Manchester City and Manchester United. However, the former will be without John Stones, as boss Pep Guardiola is unsure of his return date.
It will be an exotic Sunday for the 2022-23 English Premier League (EPL), as the highly-awaited Manchester Derby takes place between crosstown rivals Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium. Given the form of both sides, it is tough to predict an absolute winner, while the hosts can be placed marginally ahead. However, the defending champion has a problem, with English defender John Stones being ruled out with an injury. Also, the head coach of the Cityzens, Pep Guardiola, is unsure of Stones' return date but asserted that it wouldn't be a long lay-off.
🤕 John Stones
Pep Guardiola says he expects John Stones to return from injury in 10 to 14 days for Manchester City. 💪 pic.twitter.com/AVZizA0hk0
During the pre-match press conference on Friday, Guardiola voiced, "He [Stones] will be back when he is ready. I think it will not be four, five, six weeks, it will be less. I don't know when he will return, but I think maybe ten days or two weeks." It could also mean that the Englishman could miss out potentially three more games after the Derby.
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🗣️ “In Spain there’s more noise. In Germany and here it’s perfect. You can work, people are expecting and enjoy watching the derby.”
Pep Guardiola on the difference between the Manchester Derby, ElClásico and Der Klassiker. pic.twitter.com/MWy8Ph9JRa
When asked about his Derby's expectations, Guardiola replied, "I always expect the best. They come with good results against tough sides. With Southampton, it's not easy, especially Liverpool and Arsenal at home, and yeah, good momentum for them." He also compared the Derby to El Classico and Der Klassiker.
🗣️ “Always expect the best. The quality they have is no doubt for many years.”
Pep Guardiola on what he expects from Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United side this weekend. pic.twitter.com/Rf1Kw983Nu
"In Spain, Barcelona and [Real] Madrid are noisier the days before, more media, everything. The rest, in Germany, here, is perfect. You can work, people expecting, enjoy watching the Derby, that's all. It's an important, big rival in the city. We will try to figure out what we're going to do and what we can do to beat them. No more than that. In these games, you don't have to make extra emotion. Everyone knows it. The stadium will be full. I'm looking forward to it," concluded Guardiola, reports FotMob.