With the Premier League title already wrapped up, Manchester City are now looking to pick up the FA Cup this weekend as they face city rivals Manchester United in Wembley on Saturday.
The Sky Blues were beaten 1-0 by Brentford in their final league game of the 2022-23 season on Sunday in a shock loss that prevented them from hitting the 90-point mark.
However, it’s worth noting that Pep Guardiola had fielded a highly changed lineup, with several key players on the bench, including Erling Haaland, Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva.
None of them were subbed during the match either as Guardiola clearly had his eyes on the cup final next weekend, while he’s already dealing with a few high-pro-file injuries right now.
Manchester City Injury News – Guardiola confirms 4 major doubts for the FA Cup final
In a press conference earlier today, Guardiola talked of Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias, Jack Grealish and Manuel Akanji, all of whom he revealed have “niggles”, but not serious injuries.
De Bruyne had played against Brighton & Hove Albion in their penultimate league match of the season, while Dias, Grealish and Akanji missed their second one in a row.
Guardiola revealed he doesn’t know for sure if they would be available for Saturday’s showpiece clash, but hopes to have them back in the squad.
He said (via Manchester Evening News):
"“I don’t know. Wednesday they will train, or recovery session tomorrow. Hopefully, right now I don’t know. The guys who are in Manchester, Ruben didn’t train for ten days, Jack Grealish neither. After Brighton Kevin felt the same feelings as before weeks ago. They couldn’t play a few games. Not a big issue. I think they will be ready. They have to be ready in the training sessions.”"
De Bruyne has been a key player behind City’s treble hopes once again this season, assisting 28 times in all competitions, whereas Dias, Grealish and Akanji have quietly had a great campaign too. Having them in the lineup for the final will obviously be a huge plus for City, who are looking to pick up their second title of the season here.
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