Pep Guardiola revealed in Tuesday’s pre-match press conference that he has just 14 fit senior Manchester City players to from, for the upcoming game against Sporting Lisbon.
The Sky Blues head into Wednesday’s Champions League match with a 5-0 advantage from the first leg of the last-16 tie.
It should be a strong enough lead to mean City’s injury problems don’t affect their passage to the quarter-finals, however, Guardiola will have to put out an unorthodox side to face the Portuguese champions.
The City boss said Joao Cancelo is unavailable due to illness, and he didn’t take part in Tuesday’s pre-match training session.
Guardiola also explained it is ‘too risky’ for Nathan Ake to feature following a recent injury, with Ruben Dias a long-term concern at the heart of defence.
Kyle Walker is also suspended for the second leg following his dismissal in the group stages against RB Leipzig, something Guardiola is still evidently furious about.
It leaves the Premier League champions with just three fit defenders to operate with, and he’ll either have to move a more offensive player into the backline, or select a youth-team prospect.
Here’s how we think he’ll line up against Sporting…
9. Raheem Sterling
Oddly didn’t play against United on Sunday, and there’s been no suggestion of an injury. The No.7 could come in to face Sporting, who he scored against in the first leg.
10. Gabriel Jesus
Is still continuing his recuperation from injury, and Wednesday’s game offers a good chance to continue building Jesus’s fitness. The forward did play the full 90 minutes against Peterborough.
11. Jack Grealish
Produced one of his best performances to date in a City shirt during Sunday’s derby, and Guardiola could look to capitalise on his good recent run and select him for the clash with Sporting.