Man City news: 11 changes ‘expected’ for Peterborough clash after Pep Guardiola reveal – pundit
Noel Whelan has claimed Man City could make wholesale changes for the FA Cup clash against Peterborough.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted this weekend’s Manchester derby will be “playing on the mind” of Pep Guardiola.
Man City travel to Peterborough in the FA Cup fifth round tonight (1 March), before taking on Man United at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday (6 March).
As quoted by the Manchester Evening News (28 February), Guardiola suggested his side would have to “adapt” to facing lower-league opposition, and confirmed Oleksandr Zinchenko will feature despite the situation in Ukraine.
When asked if the Spaniard could make 11 changes for the FA Cup clash, Whelan told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “Yeah, possibly.
“I don’t think he’ll be playing the strongest eleven against Peterborough.
“I think his priority is to get through tomorrow, yes, but his thoughts will already be with the Manchester derby at the weekend.
“Not just for bragging rights, but for the fact that they need to keep winning every single game between now and the end of the season. That’s all they can do.
“I expect a lot of people to be rested for tomorrow, that’s for sure. They’ve got the strength in depth to go out there and see Peterborough off – there’s no doubt about it.
“Man United have been a bit of a banana skin for Pep Guardiola in recent years, and that will be playing in the back of his mind, I’m sure.”
Man City have won just three of the last eight Manchester derby meetings.
Guardiola’s side went six points clear in the Premier League after beating Everton 1-0 on Saturday (26 February).
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