Aymeric Laporte at left-back, Erling Haaland on the bench – Predicted XI: Manchester City vs Sheffield United (FA Cup Semi-Final)

Manchester City divert their focus to the FA Cup this weekend, as they take on Sheffield United at Wembley in the semi-finals of the competition.

Following a largely comfortable second-leg in the Champions League quarter-finals against Bayern Munich, the Blues must use the grit and determination shown against the German giants in another competition, as they face promotion-chasing Sheffield United.

A 3-0 aggregate scoreline gave Manchester City some breathing room at the Allianz Arena, however the atmosphere and European pedigree of a club like Bayern Munich always poses a threat to any side.

Despite various opportunities for the hosts, and a missed penalty from Erling Haaland, such a mishap did not affect the Norwegian, but only fuelled him more. After missing a first chance, he wouldn’t miss a second, played through by Kevin De Bruyne, before sitting Dayot Upamecano down and finishing astutely, taking the aggregate scoreline to 0-4.

Manchester City controlled the tempo of the contest following the opening goal, before Sadio Mane would strike the ball against Manuel Akanji’s arm, giving Bayern Munich a rather soft consolation penalty, which Joshua Kimmich would convert.

The focus now turns to Sheffield United, with City still competing for the treble following success in Europe. The Blades will be without Etihad loanees James McAtee and Tommy Doyle – two integral cogs of their ongoing successes in the Championship this season.

Despite the missing players for Sheffield United and the gulf in places in the English football pyramid, Pep Guardiola will know the Blades will be fighting for a place in the final. With that being said, here is the eleven we predict to start for Manchester City this weekend at Wembley!

Predicted XI

Despite receiving deserved praise for his performances home and away against Bayern Munich, we expect Ederson to remain the substitute goalkeeper in the FA Cup and as such see Stefan Ortega start.

Kyle Walker started his career at Sheffield United, and we expect the full-back to face his former club and start on the right of Manchester City’s defence this weekend.

Another colossal defensive display in Munich emphasised the sheer quality at the hands of Pep Guardiola at the back. We predict Ruben Dias to receive a much-needed rest this weekend, and John Stones partner Manuel Akanji in central defence.

Going off injured in Munich was not what Nathan Ake or Manchester City fans wanted, and Guardiola further highlighted the uncertainty around the severity of the Dutchman’s problem when speaking during his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon.

Manchester City suffer major defensive blow ahead of FA Cup semi-final against Sheffield United

Aymeric Laporte was given a start at left-back last weekend against Leicester City in the Premier League, and we expect the Spain international to start again in the absence of his defensive partner Nathan Ake.

Rodrigo is arguably the most important player for Manchester City, we predict him to once again start ahead of Kalvin Phillips at the base of the midfield on Saturday and continue his run of starts.

Bernardo Silva had lots of joy on the wing against Bayern Munich in Germany, but we expect him to return to midfield and slot in next to club captain Ilkay Gundogan, subsequently granting Kevin De Bruyne an opportunity to rest his legs.

Riyad Mahrez watched on from the bench in both legs against Bayern Munich, but we expect the Algerian to be given a start on the right for Manchester City.

Erling Haaland contributed once again on Wednesday night with another goal, but we expect him to be given a rest ahead of the huge encounter with Arsenal in the coming days. We expect Julian Alvarez to be given a start up top for Manchester City.

Jack Grealish remains in fine form for Manchester City. The England international has some competition now with the timely return of Phil Foden, following his absence due to appendicitis. However, we predict Grealish to remain in the side and complete the starting XI this weekend.

Predicted XI: Ortega; Walker, Stones, Akanji, Laporte; Rodrigo, Bernardo, Gundogan; Mahrez, Alvarez, Grealish.

Substitutes: Ederson, Lewis, Dias, Gomez, Phillips, De Bruyne, Palmer, Foden, Haaland.