• Manchester City midfielder fit but has not played this season • Derby at Old Trafford may be too intense for Gündogan debut

Pep Guardiola faces a selection problem for Saturday’s Manchester derby because Ilkay Gündogan is fit for selection while Nicolás Otamendi is not expected back from international duty with Argentina until late on Thursday.

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Gündogan has been sidelined with a knee problem since Guardiola made him his first signing in early July but the midfielder has been in full training for over a fortnight and is available. City have won all three matches in the Premier League without him and Guardiola must decide if the 25-year-old, signed for around £20m from Borussia Dortmund, should be given his debut in a derby at Old Trafford.

Guardiola has so far fielded a five-man midfield which has featured Fernandinho as the holding player with David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne as the central operators. Given the strength of this trio, Guardiola must decide if Gündogan should be risked against United, who trail City only on goal difference.

Otamendi will not return from the long trip to Venezuela until Thursday because of the timing of Argentina’s Wednesday night World Cup qualifier in Mérida. City have a training session on Thursday afternoon, in which Otamendi is scheduled to take part. Guardiola will have little time to assess the defender’s condition.

Vincent Kompany is one option in central defence but the captain has not played since injuring his thigh against Real Madrid in May. He is training again but given the concern over Kompany’s fragile physique, Guardiola may decide to select Aleksandar Kolarov to face United. The left-back has impressed at centre-back when used there this season.

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Guardiola must also choose his replacement for Sergio Agüero, who begins a three-match suspension. Following Wilfried Bony’s loan move to Stoke City, Kelechi Iheanacho is the only other recognised centre-forward, though Nolito can play in the position.

The manager could also choose to play Raheem Sterling or De Bruyne as a false No9, a ploy he utilised when in charge of Bayern Munich.