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Manchester City will look to take the next step in their treble bid when they face Sheffield United in the FA Cup semi finals on Saturday.
The Citizens secured a 1-1 draw at Bayern Munich in midweek to sail through to the Champions League semi finals, where they will meet Real Madrid. They are also breathing down the necks of Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Here’s the side Pep Guardiola may deploy at Wembley to reach the FA Cup final.
GK: Stefan Ortega – Made some impressive saves in the 6-0 win over Burnley in the previous round and should get the nod as Guardiola’s cup keeper.
CB: Kyle Walker – Squad injuries and fatigue are starting to mount up – City have a roadrunner in Walker and would be silly not to use him in a game against Championship opposition, which here just happens to be his boyhood club.
CB: Ruben Dias – There could be plenty of change in City’s defence on Saturday but Dias will remain in the starting XI.
CB: Aymeric Laporte – Nathan Ake picked up a knock in midweek. If he’s not fit to play, the lesser-spotted Laporte could jump in on the left of defence.
DM: John Stones – Continues to play his hybrid role with wonderful grace. What he’s doing right now is why so many were excited about the former Everton defender during his fledgling years.
DM: Rodri – Not much gets past Rodri, who followed up his blockbuster strike against Bayern with an assist in the 3-1 win over Leicester.
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RM: Bernardo Silva – Has already said City are feeling confident ahead of their semi final with Real Madrid. It’s Sheffield United at Wembley first for the in-form Portugal international.
CM: Kevin De Bruyne – It’s four assists and a goal in his last five games for De Bruyne, who continues to dominate proceedings in central midfield for City.
CM: Julian Alvarez – Deserves a starting spot after netting four times in three games from March to early April.
LM: Jack Grealish – Kept the Bayern crowd quiet for much of the second leg by winning fouls and bursting past opponents with the ball at his feet.
ST: Erling Haaland – Missed a penalty but still opened the scoring back on German soil on Wednesday.
