Manchester City v Fulham: Teams announced with Cancelo, De Bruyne & Foden starting

Pep Guardiola has opted to rest several key players for Manchester City’s FA Cup clash with Fulham on Saturday.

The manager has selected Ederson, Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte, Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Raheem Sterling on the bench for the fourth-round tie.

However, it’s still a strong side for City, with Joao Cancelo, Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden starting, along fringe players Zack Steffen, Nathan Ake and Fernandinho.

One of the six changes from last time is Riyad Mahrez, who returns after his time away at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Ahead of Steffen in nets, it’s a back four of Kyle Walker, John Stones, Ake and Cancelo.

Guardiola has gone for a midfield three of Fernandinho, Ilkay Gundogan and De Bruyne, with Mahrez starting in an attack along with Jack Grealish and Foden.

Meanwhile, youngsters Liam Delap and James McAtee are on the bench.

As for Fulham, Marco Silva hands a debut to on-loan Liverpool full-back Nico Williams, who moved to the Cottagers on deadline day, while ex-City man Tosin Adarabioyo will line up at centre-back.

Fabio Carvalho starts in midfield after his transfer to Liverpool fell through on Monday.

Fulham are flying in the Championship and could well visit the Etihad next season with the London side currently top of the Championship.

Teams in full

Manchester City: Steffen; Walker, Stones, Ake, Cancelo; Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Gundogan; Mahrez, Grealish, Foden.

Substitutes: Ederson, Laporte, Dias, Zinchenko, Rodri, Sterling, Silva, Delap, McAtee.

Fulham: Gazzaniga; Williams, Adarabioyo, Ream, Bryan; Reed, Chalobah; Wilson, Carvalho, Kebano; Mitrovic.

Substitutes: Rodak, Hector, Mawson, Seri, Onomah, Cairney, Knockaert, Cavaleiro, Muniz.