Manchester City will play League Two Salford City in a competitive match for the first time ever in the FA Cup third round this weekend.
Pep Guardiola‘s side host their local fourth-tier rivals who are co-owned by Manchester United’s famous ‘Class of 92’ stars.
The reigning Premier League champions were beaten finalists in this competition in May, ironically, at the hands of the Red Devils.
City will hope another local derby will allow them to continue their recent momentum having won their last two games.
However, Salford are also on a fine winning run having racked up six straight victories to propel the club into a promotion charge.
The Ammies are level on points with second-placed Crewe Alexandra in League Two ahead of their debut in the FA Cup third-round.
Man City v Salford: Red-dy and waiting
Gary Neville, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt all have stakes in the club sitting third in League Two.
The Manchester United legends were always wary of being on the receiving end of an upset whenever they made the trip to face City.
Their hope now with Salford is to inflict one of the greatest shocks in FA Cup third round history and achieve ultimate bragging rights.
Neville has already jokingly drawn the battle lines between the two with a playful jab at Guardiola following the third round draw.
The tie was made following City’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at the start of December where the Anfield crowd aimed jeers of ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’ towards Guardiola.
Neville then wrote on X the following day: “He’s getting sacked in the morning @SalfordCityFC.”
- This is the first-ever meeting between Manchester City and Salford City – the Citizens have won their last 17 matches when facing an opponent for the first time (all competitions), since a 2-1 loss to Lyon in September 2018.
- This is Salford City’s third meeting with Premier League opposition in all competitions, previously losing 3-0 against Everton (September 2020) and 4-0 against Burnley (September 2023).
- Since losing 1-0 to Wigan in the FA Cup fifth round in 2017-18, Manchester City have won their last 24 matches against sides from a lower division (across both League Cup and FA Cup) by an aggregate score of 88-12.
Man City vs Salford: Team news
The hosts will hope to have Ederson and Ruben Dias back from injury but John Stones remains a doubt.
Rodri and Oscar Bobb are both long-term absentees, with Jack Grealish hoping for a rare opportunity to impress in attack.
The visitors can welcome back Haji Mnoga who served a one-game ban for picking up his fifth caution against MK Dons.
Former Liverpool star Ben Woodburn missed that match through injury and remains an injury doubt for the trip to the Etihad.
- Manchester City haven’t been eliminated at this stage of the FA Cup since 2011-12, when they lost 3-2 at home to Manchester United. Including replays, they’ve won their last 11 FA Cup third round matches by an aggregate score of 46-4.
- This is Salford City’s first ever appearance in the FA Cup third round. The last team whose first such game came against the reigning English top-flight champions was Scunthorpe in 1951-52 (lost 0-3 to Tottenham).
Man City vs Salford: What has been said?
Grealish’s career with City is ‘finished’ after Guardiola’s comments highlighting his love for Savinho, according to Jeff Stelling.
Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast, Stelling said: “I think he’s finished there. I’m sorry, because that’s really harsh.
“Jack Grealish is a wonderful player, I love watching Jack and I never really felt that he fitted that well into Pep’s masterplan.”
Responding, Ally McCoist said: “I agree with you. The wording of what Pep said is strange because it sounds a bit like a dig at Jack Grealish I think.
“The easiest thing for him to do would be to boost him back up and make it about Savinho and how good he’s been as the player who is in possession of that jersey and how that will continue until his form drops or Jack can do something to get back in the team.
“It sounds like it was a bit of a shot at Jack.”
Reacting to Stelling calling it ‘a verbal kick up the backside’, McCoist said: “Correct and I’m with you mate.
“I’ve never felt that Jack has been 100 per cent comfortable with that move and I’ve watched him on numerous occasions and he certainly doesn’t have the freedom to play like he did at Villa.
“That goes without saying but it was never going to be the case.
“I’ll tell you one thing, I don’t think he’ll move on for £100million.”
Man City vs Salford: talkSPORT coverage
This FA Cup third-round tie will take place on Saturday, January 11.
Kick-off at the Etihad is scheduled for 17:45pm.
talkSPORT will also have live coverage of the game with Hugh Woozencroft serving as your presenter.
The commentary then comes from Jim Proudfoot and former Watford captain Troy Deeney.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
talkSPORT.com will also have updates in our dedicated live blog.