John Stones makes his first look in two months and is available in as captain for at present’s FA Cup conflict with Salford.
It’s the Blues internet hosting the Ammies on the Etihad Stadium this afternoon, with a 15:00 (UK) kick-off for the fourth-round tie.
Commercial
Stones has struggled with accidents this season and final performed within the outstanding 5-4 away win at Fulham in December.
He’s one in all 9 modifications, with Rayan Ait-Nouri and Phil Foden protecting their place within the XI.
Academy starlets Ryan McAidoo and Floyd Samba take their place on the bench whereas Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva usually are not absolutely match and miss out at present.
That is solely our second recreation in opposition to Salford, our solely different match coming on this competitors final season the place we triumphed 8-0.
Metropolis are vying to see off Karl Robinson’s males once more and make it into Monday’s fifth spherical draw.
TEAMS
CITY XI: Trafford, Khusanov, Stones (C), Alleyne, Ait-Nouri, Nico, Lewis, Reijnders, Foden, Cherki, Marmoush
Commercial
Subs: Donnarumma, Dias, Guéhi, Rodri, Nunes, O’Reilly, Semenyo, McAidoo, Samba
SALFORD CITY XI: Younger, Awe, Dorrington, Garbutt (C), Longelo, Cooper, Austerfield, Grant, N’Mai, Woodburn, Graydon
Subs: Howard, Ashley, Turton, Stockton, Borini, Butcher, Udo, Ehibhatiomhan, Siri
James Trafford is between the sticks and guarded by a again 4 of Abdukodir Khusanov, John Stones, Max Alleyne and Rayan Ait-Nouri.
Nico can be within the anchor function, alongside captain Rico Lewis and Tijjani Reijnders within the midfield space.
Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden will interchange within the areas behind placing ace Omar Marmoush.
Pep Guardiola has why Metropolis have been so profitable in cup competitions throughout his decade of dominance in English soccer.
Commercial
Guardiola, speaking to press in his pre-match media briefing, mentioned his strategy to taking up Salford Metropolis this afternoon.
After an exhausting schedule and punishing Premier League bouts of late, you’d be forgiven for considering that an FA Cup encounter with a League Two facet could be seen as a stroll within the park for the sensible Blues, particularly when flashing again to our 8-0 conquer the identical opponents on this competitors final trip.
However, really, nothing might be farther from the reality as Guardiola mentioned the respect he reveals each opponent, a tactic which has earned us 18 main trophies up to now 10 years – one every of the Champions League, Membership World Cup and Tremendous Cup, six Premier Leagues, two FA Cups, 4 League Cups and three Neighborhood Shields.
“After all it’s League Two. We play at dwelling,” he mentioned.
Commercial
“However I attempt to inoculate within the minds of the gamers that nothing is without any consideration and every part is tough.
“After all it might be simple afterwards. However we now have to do our job.
“That’s why within the tight competitions on this decade, within the FA Cup, Carabao Cup, we now have all the time been there and all the time behaved actually, actually good.
“Tomorrow can’t be an exception.”
If you need additional proof of what it means to the boss, simply watch him marauding round his touchline this afternoon, screaming directions and kicking each ball!
MATCH STATS
-That is the second ever assembly between Metropolis and Salford, with final season.
Commercial
-Salford have misplaced all three of their aggressive conferences with Premier League sides by an mixture rating of 15-0.
-Metropolis have received our final 20 matches within the FA Cup in opposition to sides from exterior the Premier League, scoring 82 objectives. At dwelling, we’ve received our final 11 of those matches by an mixture rating of 59-5, beating Exeter Metropolis 10-1 within the third spherical on the Etihad.
-Salford are taking part in within the fourth spherical of the FA Cup for the primary time of their transient historical past. The final time a facet from the fourth division or decrease eradicated a group within the prime three of the top-flight was February 1971, with Colchester United beating league leaders Leeds United within the fifth spherical.
-Metropolis’s Jeremy Doku has been concerned in six objectives in three FA Cup appearances in opposition to sides from exterior the Premier League (3 objectives, 3 assists), scoring or aiding on common each 22 minutes in these video games.