FA Cup memories
A decision has been made on whether Antoine Semenyo will start for Man City today in their FA Cup match against Exeter City.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola will only field a sprinkling of academy players for the FA Cup third round tie with League One side Exeter City. The Blues have a Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Newcastle United to come on Tuesday and a Manchester derby at Old Trafford next weekend.
However, the manager insisted he would not be stacking the side with youngsters. "No. A few of them but not much," he said. "We have to come back to winning games and the FA Cup is the FA Cup."
Antoine Semenyo, fresh from his £62.5million move from Bournemouth, could go straight into the side given Guardiola bracketed the 26-year-old with Jeremy Doku, Savinho and Oscar Bobb in competition for places. The latter two are sidelined and the former started against Brighton and is only just back to full fitness.
Guardiola has confirmed that Semenyo will be in City’s matchday squad on Saturday, although he refused to reveal whether he would start the cup tie. “He will be selected,” said the Spaniard in his pre-match press conference. “I don’t know if he will start but he will be selected because we don’t have many players.“
A decision has been made on whether Antoine Semenyo will start for Man City today in their FA Cup match against Exeter City. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)placeholder image
A decision has been made on whether Antoine Semenyo will start for Man City today in their FA Cup match against Exeter City. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images) | Eddie Keogh/Getty Images
Read More
He added: “Everyone knows the quality. We have seen how he plays for Bournemouth. He can play on both sides, right and left.
“He uses both legs unbelievably. He is a striker who can play with his pace. He knows the Premier League. Many clubs wanted him but he decided to join us so all I can say is thanks to him. Very pleased for the next years.”
Predicted City XI: Trafford, Lewis, Alleyne, Khusanov, Mfuni; Rodri, Reijnders; Semenyo, Cherki, Mukasa, R Heskey
Continue Reading