An opportunity for Enzo Maresca to test his full Manchester City squad has arrived against Norwich City | OneFootball

Up next for Manchester City is their third-round Carabao Cup tie against Norwich City. Enzo Maresca’s side begin the defence of the Carabao Cup at home against the Canaries at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday night. Following that match, City face a quick turnaround with Sunderland set to come to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday in the final Premier League fixture before the extended international break. Given that Manchester City will play Norwich City and Sunderland so close together, Thursday night’s Carabao Cup tie is the ideal opportunity for Enzo Maresca to use his full squad. How Manchester City’s lineup will be is fascinating to see and they will face a tricky test against Norwich City.

A host of Manchester City squad player should be given an opportunity to start against Norwich.

Thursday night’s Carabao Cup tie looks like the ideal opportunity for Enzo Maresca to test the depth of his Manchester City sqaud. There are a host of players who could, and likely will, start against Norwich City. If that proves to be the case, each will have an opportunity in front of them to impress Maresca.

It would seem certain that Ayyoub Bouaddi will start in midfield. The Moroccan international needs an opportunity to start in English football. He hasn’t had that just yet. Starting against Norwich City does seem to be the ideal setting for him to get his feet wet from the start in English football. You could also say the same for Brazilian winger Allan. Allan is yet to feature at all for Manchester City. Perhaps he will start on Thursday night at the Etihad.

Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov need minutes. They should also start in defence. Gerónimo Rulli will highly likely get his first start for Manchester City in the Carabao Cup. On the wings and up front, Ryan McAidoo, Iliman Ndiaye and Rayan Ait-Nouri look set to compete for the roles on the left and through the middle if Allan starts. That trio could be who Enzo Maresca starts with Allan on the bench.

Mateo Kovacic and Rico Lewis also loom as likely starters against Norwich City. The pair also need minutes and they do offer experience to what could potentially be a young starting eleven that Enzo Maresca selects. Kaden Braithwaite will likely also get an opportunity at some point. As could young midfielder Floyd Samba. The upcoming third-round Carabao Cup tie against Norwich City does offer Enzo Maresca the opportunity to have a better look at his squad. It seems highly probable that he will take that opportunity.

Norwich City will not be pushovers and will want to claim the scalp of City.

Manchester City will take on a Norwich City side who do try and play attacking football. Their manager, Philippe Clement, does tend to operate with a 4-2-3-1 formation. They have pace in their ranks and do have quality in the final third. Pacey Australian striker Mo Touré does loom a threat. He has scored four goals in six matches this season and he will look to get in behind the City defence wherever possible. He isn’t Norwich City’s only attacking weapon, but his pace and finishing could be the key for Philippe Clements side in securing a famous Carabao Cup upset.

Manchester City will begin their Carabao Cup defence with a third-round tie against Norwich City on Thursday night. The match does look to be the ideal setting for Enzo Maresca to rotate his sqaud. Norwich City won’t be a pushover, despite the fact that they sit 14th in the Championship. However, they may be the ideal opponent for City’s squad players to make an impression.