Manchester City and Exeter City have confirmed their starting lineups ahead of today’s FA Cup third-round tie at the Etihad Stadium. Pep Guardiola’s side have the FA Cup final in each of the past three seasons. But they have lost the last two finals against Manchester United and Crystal Palace. They’ll be eager to go one better this season but to do that they must win today to progress. City will take an Exeter City side who are fighting to avoid relegation in Legaue One. Today’s match is an opportunity for Gary Caldwell’s side to forget League duties and try and cause an FA Cup boil over.
Manchester City enter today’s match with a host of players unavailable. Mateo Kovacic, John Stones, Oscar Bobb, Savinho, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol are all sidelined due to injury. Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri are unavailable due to international duty.
Antoine Semenyo will make his debut for Manchester City today after completing his move to City from Bournemouth yesterday. Pep Guardiola also told the media yesterday that he will pick a strong lineup today out of respect for the FA Cup and to try and see his team regain confidence after three consecutive draws.
Here are the starting lineups for today’s FA Cup tie.
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola has made six changes to the starting lineup that drew 1-all with Brighton. Antoine Semenyo starts and will make his full Manchester City debut today. Ryan McAidoo will also make his debut for City in a special moment for young winger.
Starting lineups: James Trafford; Rico Lewis, Abdukodir Khusanov, Max Alleyne, Nathan Ake; Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders, Ryan McAidoo; Rayan Cherki, Antoine Semenyo, Erling Haaland.
Substitutes: Donnarumma, Doku, Nico, Bernardo, Nunes, O’Reilly, Foden, Mukasa, Mfuni.
Exeter City
📝 Your @EmiratesFACup third-round Grecians to take on @ManCity ⬇️
Brought to you by @HuntersExeter #ECFC #SemperFidelis pic.twitter.com/PxxlG1f3Rj
— Exeter City FC (@OfficialECFC) January 10, 2026