Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Manchester City will rotate the squad for their Carabao Cup third-round tie against Huddersfield Town, with Academy players expected to feature.
The City boss has named the same starting XI for three consecutive games, including Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal and victories over Manchester United and Napoli. It was only the third time in his reign that he has kept an unchanged side. But Guardiola made it clear that will not continue on Wednesday night.
“Tomorrow we are not going to play the same starting XI as the last three games, that’s for sure,” he said. “I said many times in the Carabao Cup, we respect this competition, because we won it four times, but the problem is arriving to it with no injuries, but we arrive with injuries. So it’s a chance for Academy players to play.”
The manager also confirmed that Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Omar Marmoush remain unavailable through injury.
“The priority is Burnley, Monaco and Brentford. It would have been perfect for Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait Nouri, Omar, but they are not able to play because they are injured. It is what it is. We will try to compete and go through.”
Guardiola offered an update on Erling Haaland after the striker picked up a back problem during the Arsenal draw, despite scoring City’s only goal. The Norwegian was in recovery on Monday and did not train.
“[Haaland was in] recovery yesterday, he didn’t train,” Guardiola said. “Today I didn’t see him or the rest of the players yet but hopefully he can be [back] for the next weekend.”
Abdukodir Khusanov was also withdrawn at half-time against Arsenal, replaced by Matheus Nunes, adding to Guardiola’s injury concerns during a packed schedule.
“It’s been such a demanding week, the last game especially and sometimes the players have problems. But I think we will be fine next weekend, I hope so.”
City now prepare for their midweek test in West Yorkshire, balancing cup ambition with the bigger picture of league and European battles ahead.
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