Confirmed Line-Ups: Manchester City vs Salford City (FA Cup Fourth Round) | OneFootball

Manchester City look to secure their place in the FA Cup fifth round as they host League Two neighbours Salford City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Pep Guardiola’s side enter the tie in impressive form, having navigated a tricky period in the Premier League to remain within touching distance of leaders Arsenal.

City followed up a dramatic late victory over Liverpool at Anfield last weekend with a professional 3-0 win against Fulham in midweek, extending their unbeaten run to six matches across all competitions.

The Blues have already shown their ruthlessness in the FA Cup this season, dispatching Exeter City 10-1 in the previous round. History also favours the hosts; when these two sides met in the third round last season, City cruised to an 8-0 victory.

Salford City, owned by the ‘Class of ’92’, arrive at the Etihad sitting sixth in League Two and chasing promotion. Karl Robinson’s men reached the fourth round for the first time in their history after a chaotic 3-2 win over Swindon Town. While they are massive underdogs, the Ammies will be desperate to avoid a repeat of last year’s heavy defeat.

In terms of team news, Pep Guardiola is expected to rotate his squad, though several key absences remain. Erling Haaland is a major doubt after being withdrawn at half-time against Fulham with a “disturbance,” while John Stones has returned to the starting XI.

Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic, Jeremy Doku and Savinho remain sidelined. Notably, club captain Bernardo Silva and number nine Erling Haaland has entirely missed out from the matchday squad.

Manchester City are competing for silverware on four fronts and Guardiola has shuffled his pack accordingly, with the Blues starting to turn a corner after a poor January to start 2026 that raised major questions over their title prospects.

Ahead of Saturday’s 15:00 UK kick-off at the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola and Karl Robinson have now confirmed their respective starting line-ups.

Manchester City

Starting XI: Trafford, Khusanov, Stones, Alleyne, Ait-Nouri, Nico, Lewis, Reijnders, Foden, Cherki, Marmoush

Substitutes: Donnarumma, Dias, Guehi, Rodri, Nunes, O’Reilly, Semenyo, McAidoo, F. Samba

Salford City

Starting XI: Young, Woodburn, Grant, N’Mai, Cooper, Austerfield, Dorrington, Graydon, Awe, Garbutt, Longelo

Substitutes: Howard, Ashley, Turton, Stockton, Borini, Udoh, Siri, Ehibhatiomhan, Butcher