Manchester City take on Huddersfield in the FA Cup third round on Sunday 7th January – as Pep Guardiola aims to defend the title.
With all due respect to the Terriers, it will not require the likes of Erling Haaland and Rodri to beat them as Darren Moore’s side languish 21st in the Championship.
Therefore, Guardiola could hand chances to a few fringe players.
In that respect, here are three Manchester City players who we think could make their first start of the season in the FA Cup clash against Huddersfield…
Mahamadou Susoho
We mentioned that Rodri may be rested – and Mahamadou Susoho could be the man to replace the Manchester City No.16 in defensive midfield.
The Spain U18 international made his senior debut for Manchester City in the 3-2 win over Red Star Belgrade, and having also trained with Guardiola’s side, a first start of the season is surely on its way.
Max Alleyne
Max Alleyne was another to be drafted into senior training by Guardiola.
The 52-year-old actually revealed his disappointment at not being able to introduce the England U19 international in that aforementioned win over Red Star Belgrade, as the game was “not quite under control” in Serbia.
As quoted by the Manchester Evening News, the Spaniard said: “At the end I wanted to put Max on as a central defender because he has a special quality with the ball, but the game was not quite under control.”
Therefore, Guardiola may feel he owes the 18-year-old central defender a start against Huddersfield.
Alfie Harrison
Alfie Harrison has been in superb form for the Manchester City U18 side so far this season, scoring eight goals in eight U18 Premier League appearances, while also providing four assists from central midfield.
The 18-year-old was also among those to get a taste of senior training under Guardiola, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see him rewarded for his efforts with a start against Huddersfield.
Find out why Manchester City and Huddersfield have both missed out on an £85,000 payment from the Football Association ahead of the FA Cup clash
