Sheffield United team news
For the Blades, both Tommy Doyle and James McAtee are unavailable as they are on loan from City, despite Guardiola revealing he was keen for the pair to play.
“Unfortunately they can’t play,” he said yesterday. “Loan players to get experience and what better experience for City is to play FA Cup semi-final. It would be incredible for their development. Rule is the rule.”
Wes Foderingham, however, is now free of suspension in goal.
Man City team news
Manchester City are missing Nathan Ake for this afternoon’s FA Cup semi-final date with Sheffield United at Wembley.
The Dutch defender limped off midway through the second leg of City’s Champions League quarter-final tie with Bayern Munich on Wednesday night with what appeared to be a hamstring strain.
“He’s not ready for tomorrow, but I don’t know how is the damage,” Guardiola told reporters on Friday. “I think today they make the final test to know exactly what he has.”
Changes can be expected from City, particularly with Arsenal to come in a potential title-decider in midweek, with Stefan Ortega likely to start in goal as he has done throughout the FA Cup run this season.
Kyle Walker and Laporte could both come in, while Rico Lewis is an option to replace John Stones in the hybrid midfield should Guardiola stick with the same system that has been serving City so well of late.
Riyad Mahrez will be hoping to return to the starting XI as well after missing out against Bayern, while Phil Foden will once again be in the squad as he pushes to make his first start since the quarter-final win over Burnley last month following surgery for appendicitis.
Predicted Man City XI: Ortega; Walker, Dias, Laporte; Lewis, Phillips; Mahrez, De Bruyne, Alvarez, Grealish; Haaland.
How to watch Man City vs Sheffield United
TV channel: In the UK, today’s game will be broadcast live and free-to-air on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 4pm.
Live stream: The ITV website and ITVX app will offer a live stream service online, also free to access.
LIVE coverage: Follow all the action right here with us!
Good afternoon!
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE blog of Manchester City vs Sheffield United!
It’s the first of the two FA Cup semi-finals this weekend, with Brighton taking on Manchester United tomorrow afternoon for a place in the final.
Talk of the treble continues for City, and they are huge favourites to get past Championship opposition here. Can the Blades pull off an almighty shock?
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 4:45pm BST from Wembley. Stay with us!
