ManchesterWorld

Pep Guardiola could make several changes to his side for the midweek trip to Tottenham Hotspur.

The Carabao Cup tie has already been earmarked as the least important of City’s seven fixtures in between the October and November international breaks, and with a busy schedule Guardiola is hoping to rest several players.

Guardiola admitted at the weekend that he might have to select some members of his youth-team squad for the game, while the Catalan previously revealed he does not see the game as a priority.

“The next round, I announce to you, I will play the second team," Guardiola said. "We are not going to waste energy, for sure."

The fixture pile-up comes amid a spate of recent injuries, with six players missing for the Tottenham clash, something Guardiola said last week is a concern. “For one game, two games is fine. Now we have a tough period.”

However, speaking on Tuesday ahead of the game, the City boss seemed to imply he would select a strong team rather than calling up youngsters.

“Few players but we're going to try to do a good game. Last season we were out against Newcastle and played really well. Perform well, no injuries please and go to the last week of the international break.”

Regardless, changes seem likely for those who have played a lot in recent weeks. With all that in mind, here’s the XI we think Guardiola will name at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which includes six changes from Saturday’s win over Southampton…

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com

and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565

Visit Shots! now

Manchester City are struggling with a plethora of injuries in the midst of a busy fixture schedule.

Pep Guardiola has said he won’t take any risks when selecting his Manchester City side against Tottenham Hotspur and could be forced to call up several youngsters into the first-team squad.

City face seven games in 21 days in between the October and November international break, and with the Blues playing four league games and two in the Champions League in that period, Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash at Spurs has been deemed as the least important fixture.

ManchesterWorld Digest: The best headlines and highlights from us and around our city, sent every Friday

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to ManchesterWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

Guardiola even admitted after eliminating Watford in the third round that he wouldn’t ‘waste energy’ on the competition and claimed City could play their ‘second team’. The hectic schedule has been compounded by a lack of available players in recent weeks.

Six of Guardiola’s first-team squad missed Saturday’s win over Southampton through injury and none are expected back for the midweek trip to the capital. City have named just seven players on the bench in each of their last two games, including two goalkeepers.

Speaking ahead of the Southampton game, Guardiola admitted that he is concerned about the number of players he is currently working with and said that having just 15 outfield players is a problem. It means City don’t have too many options to rotate against Spurs, but Guardiola plans to rest anyone who needs it.

“We have to take care of ourselves. Good sleep, drinks, good food, sleep a lot, training and recovery,” the Catalan said on Saturday. “We are who we are. I would love to have everyone, it's not the position.

“We are few, few people. Okay, we have to do what we have do to. I don't know if I'm going to think against Spurs, maybe some players from the academy. I don't know. We will see tomorrow, the day after tomorrow. Fortunately we have four days [off], not three.

“We are going there to compete but the main target is Bournemouth, Sporting and Brighton before the international break. We are not going to take a decision… if the players are fine they are going to play against Spurs but if they have doubts I'm not going to take a risk against Spurs, that's for sure.”

City’s trip to Tottenham is the first of four consecutive away games before the November international break, followed by Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday.

Latest Manchester United transfer news and rumours as they prepare for the new Premier League season

Manchester United are busy preparing for the start of the new Premier League season. They have handed boss Erik ten Hag a new deal this summer after they won the FA Cup last term by beating rivals Manchester City in the final at Wembley.

The Red Devils have the chance to bring in some more players over the coming weeks. Here is a look at some of the latest news and rumours coming out of the club...

Advertisement

Hide Ad

Advertisement

Hide Ad

Midfielder linked

ManchesterWorld Digest: The best headlines and highlights from us and around our city, sent every Friday

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to ManchesterWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later.

Submitting...

According to a report by German news outlet Fussball News, United are keen on a move for Guidars FC midfielder Sekou Kone. Salzburg, Crystal Palace and Wolves.

The 18-year-old is being tipped for a bright future in the game and could land a move to Europe soon from Africa. He caught the eye at the Under-17 World Cup playing for Mali.

Ten Hag could see him as someone who is capable of breaking into his team down the line.

Target joins Aston Villa

United-linked Jaden Philogene has returned to Aston Villa from Hull City. They sold him to the Tigers last September and he has now gone back to Villa Park after scoring 12 goals in the last campaign.

Advertisement

Hide Ad

Advertisement

Hide Ad

TEAMtalk claimed in July that he was on the Red Devils' radar. However, they will now have to look elsewhere for targets in his position.

Philogene has said: "It feels amazing, it’s like I’m back at home.

“Unai (Emery) spoke to me face-to-face and we had a very good conversation about my playing time.

“He said I did well when I was here in pre-season last year and that I’m going to get chances this time. It also depends on me and how I play. It’s the latest chapter in my Villa journey and hopefully I can play my best, get game time and do it in front of the fans.

Advertisement

Hide Ad

Advertisement

Hide Ad

“What I did at Hull, I want to do the same things at Villa Park; make the fans aware of my skills and score goals.

“It’s a dream come true. When I was a little boy I wanted to play in the Champions League. I’ve always thought I want to be there one day and here I am.”

Midfielder update

Tottenham Hotspur are keen on United midfielder Scott McTominay along with Fulham, according to The Sun.

He has recently been away at Euro 2024 with Scotland but they didn't get out of their group in the end in Germany.

Advertisement

Hide Ad

Advertisement

Hide Ad

The Red Devils have a decision to make regarding his long-term future at Old Trafford amid interest from elsewhere.

McTominay, who is 27-years-old, has risen up through the academy ranks at United. He was a regular for them at various different youth levels before breaking into their first-team.

He has never played for another club and has made 252 appearances in all competitions to date, finding the net on 29 goals.

The Lancaster-born man scored 10 goals last term but his future is up in the air right now amid new attention from Spurs.

Watch more of our videos on Shots!

and live on Freeview channel 276

Visit Shots! now

Manchester City are expected to strengthen their youth ranks ahead of the 2024/25 season.

Manchester City are reportedly set to conclude deals for three academy players in the coming weeks.

The Premier League champions are among the country’s best production centres for youth talent and last season won the FA Youth Cup, beating Leeds United 4-0 in the final. Phil Foden, Rico Lewis and Oscar Bobb are the shining lights for City’s youth team in Pep Guardiola’s squad, but Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia and Jadon Sancho are among the numerous examples of players who have excelled away from the club.

Advertisement

Hide Ad

Advertisement

Hide Ad

ManchesterWorld Digest: The best headlines and highlights from us and around our city, sent every Friday

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to ManchesterWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later.

Submitting...

While City constantly look to bring through talent from a young age, they will also look elsewhere to sign underage stars. According to numerous reports, the Blues are close to securing deals from three teenagers this window.

Fabrizio Romano claims Chelsea’s Ryan McAidoo is ‘set to join’ City. The England Under-17 international had been linked with a move to Arsenal but Romano wrote on X that the deal was ‘hijacked’ by City. McAidoo, aged 15 last season, made four appearances for Chelsea’s Under-18s.

Romano also reports that Han Willhoft-King will join the club after recently leaving Tottenham Hotspur. The defensive midfielder is set to sign a two-year contract at Etihad and has already made 35 appearances at Under-18 level for Spurs.

Finally, as per The Athletic, Harrison Miles is close to signing for City after his contract at Southampton expired. The 15-year-old, who has represented the Saints’ Under-21s, also had interest from Arsenal but opted for a move to Manchester instead.

Advertisement

Hide Ad

Advertisement

Hide Ad

Meanwhile, there have been no senior arrivals at City so far this summer, despite reports that Savio’s transfer is now wrapped up. Bruno Guimarares remains a target and the Blues may return for the midfielder later this window after opting against meeting his £100m buyout clause.