Pep Guardiola explains why John Stones is better partner for Ruben Dias than Aymeric Laporte

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola is not sure when he will be able to call on Sergio Aguero with the Manchester City striker isolating after coming into contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.

straight to your inboxFormer Manchester City midfielder Trevor Sinclair has compared the club's defensive partnership of John Stones and Ruben Dias to two Manchester United legends.City 's start to the season has been a slow burner but there have been signs of a significant upturn in the past few weeks, with victories over Chelsea in the Premier League and knocking United out of the Carabao Cup.

straight to your inboxWhen Manchester City's renaissance over the past month is analysed there are many factors to consider, but perhaps the most important is a player who often goes under the radar outside of the Etihad, but is invaluable to his manager and teammates.In the story of a month that has reasserted City as favourites for the Premier League title and the best footballing team in the country, the continued brilliance of Kevin De Bruyne has taken headlines, while Ruben Dias and John

straight to your inboxHard work is the key to Manchester City's newest defensive partnership, John Stones says.Stones has struck up a surprising partnership with summer signing Ruben Dias, establishing himself as first choice in Pep Guardiola's defence ahead of Aymeric Laporte, Nathan Ake and Fernandinho. The pair were superb in City's Carabao Cup semi-final win at Manchester United on Wednesday, with Stones scoring the first goal in a 2-0 win and Dias earning the Man of the Match award.

straight to your inboxRuben Dias is hopeful that Manchester City's draws will prove useful in the final Premier League reckoning but admits they cannot get used to them. Pep Guardiola's side have lost just twice in the Premier League this season but are well down the table in 8th because of their inability to turn one point into three in more than a third of their matches.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola suggested that the financial consequences of the pandemic will prevent Manchester City from buying a striker in the January transfer window.The Blues were interested in signing a forward in summer but with money being used elsewhere to strengthen to defence - Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake arrived at a combined cost of more than £100m - and the club making a conscious effort to keep net spend down the decision was taken not to add another marquee forward.Sergio

straight to your inboxAn injury-free run and positive mentality has allowed John Stones to turn around his Manchester City fortunes as he impressed again in the hard-fought win over Southampton.Stones, starting his fourth game in the last five, has been one of City's stand-out performers in the last two months, winning back his place in Pep Guardiola's side and not letting go. Once more, he was solid at Southampton against the prolific Danny Ings and dangerous Che Adams.

straight to your inboxRodri became the first outfield player for Manchester City to pass 1,500 minutes played this season during the draw with West Bromwich Albion.Pep Guardiola has made a point in recent weeks of saying that his squad have to perform well every game if they are to keep their place in the team, with John Stones and Ruben Dias examples of individuals that have risen to Guardiola's challenge.Rodri, signed from Atletico last summer for what was then a club record fee of £62.8m, has

straight to your inboxIlkay Gundogan admits Manchester City are struggling to meet the high expectations placed upon them this season.City were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by lowly West Bromwich Albion in Tuesday night's Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium.Gundogan put Pep Guardiola's men ahead in the first half but a Ruben Dias own goal earned the Baggies a share of the spoils.City have failed to hit the heights they have shown themselves capable of in recent years so far this

straight to your inboxAlan Shearer has bemoaned Manchester City's lack of firepower - but is not writing them off just yet. Pep Guardiola's men were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by struggling West Bromwich Albion at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night.

direct to your inboxJohn Stones is not carrying an injury despite missing Manchester City's Premier League game with West Brom. The 26-year-old has fought his way back into the team after two years of injuries and personal issues preventing him from holding down a regular place, and started alongside Ruben Dias for the Manchester derby as they notched another clean sheet.

straight to your inboxRaheem Sterling has insisted Manchester City have coped with the loss of Vincent Kompany and David Silva in the dressing room and named Ruben Dias and Kevin De Bruyne as players who have stepped into those roles. Two of City's greatest ever players have left the Etihad Stadium in the last two summers, with Silva moving to Real Sociedad after 10 years in England, whilst Kompany joined Anderlecht as player-manager.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola decided against bringing on more than one substitute during Manchester City's goalless draw at Old Trafford because he felt his players were "sharp". The City boss has been a strong advocate of the Premier League bringing in five substitutions this season but he's now only used five replacements in the last four games, two of which very injury-enforced.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola hailed a good point for Manchester City in the Premier League against Manchester United. The Blues played out a dull derby draw at Old Trafford that leaves them a point behind their neighbours and five off the top of the Premier League table after 11 matches.

straight to your inboxJohn Stones has insisted he is motivated by Ruben Dias' arrival at Manchester City and relishes the competition for places.The Englishman was linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium in the summer after falling out of favour with Pep Guardiola.

straight to your inboxPablo Zabaleta says John Stones would not be part of his ideal back four for Manchester City.The centre-back has been in excellent form since being recalled to City's starting line-up, having effectively found himself as sixth-choice centre-back during the summer.It has led to plenty of debate over what City's strongest defence is, with Aymeric Laporte missing four of their last five games.The likes of Nathan Ake, Eric Garcia and summer signing Ruben Dias are also vying for

direct to your inboxJohn Stones looks set to start in the back four for Manchester City as they take on their cross-city rivals at Old Trafford on Saturday.The centre-back's recent renaissance has seen him come back into the favour of Pep Guardiola, and it seems that he'll be rewarded with a place in City's starting line-up against Manchester United, alongside Ruben Dias.Stones' return to form has been at the expense of Aymeric Laporte.