It has not been the best few weeks for Manchester City and their new manager Pep Guardiola.

The former Bayern Munich and Barcelona coach oversaw 10 straight wins to begin his management career in England, but has since then failed to win in five.

This includes a 2-0 defeat at Tottenham and a disappointing 4-0 loss to Barcelona, where City matched the hosts for much of the first half but individual errors cost them dear at the Nou Camp.

Nevertheless, their 1-1 draw at home to Southampton on Sunday sent them back to the top of the Premier League, ahead of Arsenal and Liverpool on goal difference, and their attentions will now turn to the small matter of a Manchester derby on Wednesday.

Guardiola’s men travel to Old Trafford for the second time this season, looking to replicate their 2-1 win over Jose Mourinho’s men earlier in the campaign with victory in the EFL Cup tie on Wednesday.

However, Guardiola is likely to make a few changes to his starting eleven in a bid to get that first win since September 24, so here are THREE players who deserve a chance against United…

Kelechi Iheanacho

Sergio Aguero’s slight dip in form could pave the way for Kelechi Iheanacho to get a starting berth.

Aguero, who has netted 11 times already this season, looked a bit off the pace against Southampton on Sunday, and was dropped from the eleven that started against Barcelona last week.

Iheanacho has already proved this season to be a more-than-able deputy for the Argentine, having netted a few times during Aguero’s three-match ban last month.

The 20-year-old also netted the crucial equaliser against Southampton, and deserves a chance from the start against United.

Willy Caballero

Claudio Bravo is the new number one at Manchester City, but it’s hardly been the most convincing of starts to his career in England.

The former Barcelona shot-stopper has looked shaky in between the sticks and with the ball at his feet, the latter is mainly what he was brought in for and indeed what caused him to get sent off against his former employers last week.

And, with Caballero set to deputise in the Champions League following Bravo’s red card, Guardiola may want to give him some minutes on the pitch before next week’s home game against the Spanish giants.

Caballero came on and impressed against Barcelona, saving a Neymar penalty, and should get the nod against United on Wednesday.

Gael Clichy

Guardiola went for a back three in the draw against Southampton and overloaded the middle with his best midfielders, and this may have been as a result of the injuries to full-backs Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta.

Aleksandar Kolarov started, but former Arsenal defender Gael Clichy didn’t, and he deserves an opportunity to stake his claim for a regular spot against United.

Although he came on and didn’t fare too well against Barcelona, the 31-year-old is a better defender than Kolarov, although may not offer as much going forward.

With Sagna and Zabaleta still out, the French international should get a chance on Wednesday night.