Early team news: Manuel Akanji absent from travelling squad ahead of Sheffield United vs Manchester City (Premier League)

Manuel Akanji is absent from the travelling Manchester City squad to face Sheffield United this weekend, it has been reported ahead of kick-off at Bramall Lane.

Manchester City make the trip across the Pennines to take on newly-promoted Sheffield United in their third contest of the new Premier League season, looking to become the first side to win all three of their opening three contests in the division this season.

Last time out it was a clash against the impressive Newcastle United, whom Manchester City dismissed of at the Etihad Stadium courtesy of a single goal from Julian Alvarez following some fantastic link-up player with Phil Foden.

Victory over Eddie Howe’s men followed an uncomfortable opening week in the new competitive campaign, after City beat Burnley 0-3 on the opening weekend before claiming the UEFA Super Cup in Athens in between their clash at Turf Moor and at the Etihad last weekend.

Ahead of the release of the confirmed and official starting line-ups at Bramall Lane, a number of sources have began releasing snippets of Juanma Lillo’s starting line-up, as the Spaniard stands in for Pep Guardiola while he recovers from back surgery.

According to the information of X user FPL Maine Road, Manuel Akanji was absent from the travelling party that made the trip from Manchester City’s City Football Academy to Sheffield on Saturday night.

Jack Grealish starts for Manchester City at Bramall Lane this weekend, according to The FPL Newsletter, with Phil Foden only making the substitutes bench, with a rumour in some parts being that the midfielder has been suffering from an illness recently.

Jeremy Doku is present with the travelling party that arrived at Bramall Lane on Sunday afternoon ahead of 2PM, as spotted by those in attendance at the Manchester City bus’ arrival.

Paul Heckingbottom and Juanma Lillo are expected to confirm their respective starting line-ups at approximately 13:00 BST on Saturday afternoon.

Now confirmed.