What Fernandinho has done as Man City captain to impress Pep Guardiola

straight to your inboxSergio Aguero is getting over his struggles with Covid-19 and Pep Guardiola believes he will bounce back to “make the difference” in Manchester City’s title challenge.The club’s all-time top goalscorer has “struggled” with fatigue after testing positive for the virus last week, ince when he has had to self-isolate at hom.But Guardiola said Aguero has told medical staff that he is fighting back – and confidently predicted he will bring his considerable influence to bear in

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola suggested Eric Garcia could leave Manchester City this month after resigning himself to losing the centre-back.Garcia stunned his club last summer when he informed them that he no longer saw a future for himself at the Etihad and wished instead to return to former club Barcelona.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola felt that Manchester City needed more quality in the final third as they trailed Cheltenham Town in the FA Cup. The Blues were staring at the biggest upset of the manager's five years at the club when Alfie May stabbed home from a Ben Tozer long throw on the hour-mark, leading to first-team regulars Ruben Dias, Ilkay Gundogan and Joao Cancelo all being brought off the bench for the closing moments.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola was left hoping on Wednesday night that the injuries that forced Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne off against Aston Villa will not be too serious.Manchester City continued their good form, winning their sixth straight league game and ninth in all competitions to reach the Premier League summit for the first time this season thanks to late goals from Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan.However, they had to make do without two of their starting XI for long spells.

direct to your inboxPep Guardiola called upon an answer he has used before when asked how he will spend his 50th birthday today.The Manchester City boss saw his side produce a professional performance mixed with moments of individual quality on Saturday to beat Crystal Palace 4-0 and move up to second in the Premier League with a game in hand over leaders Manchester United.United had earlier drawn 0-0 with Liverpool, allowing City to move above Liverpool and to within two points of United with a

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola has named a strong Manchester City side to face Crystal Palace, but Rodri has dropped to the bench.City can move up to third in the Premier League with a win, but Palace have taken four points from their last two league visits to the Etihad and will pose a threat this evening.Guardiola confirmed before the match that City's Covid-19 outbreak is clearing up, but Sergio Aguero is still unavailable as he is isolating after coming into contact with someone who

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola could not rule out a January transfer for Eric Garcia but hopes that Manchester City will be able to keep hold of the player. Garcia stunned the Blues last year when he opted not to extend his contract at the Etihad and decided that he wanted to return to Barcelona.

direct to your inboxThe date and kick-off times for the FA Cup forth round have been confirmed.Manchester United will welcome fierce rivals Liverpool to Old Trafford on Sunday, January 24, with kick-off coming at 5pm. It will be shown live on BBC One.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola queried how effective the new protocols for Covid-19 can be in preventing contact on the pitch after Manchester City's FA Cup win over Birmingham. With more regular testing introduced recently across clubs following outbreaks including Newcastle, City, and Fulham, the PFA this week reminded all players not to celebrate with teammates at goals or swap shirts at the end of games in a bid to reduce contact and keep infection rates down.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola is not sure when he will be able to call on Sergio Aguero with the Manchester City striker isolating after coming into contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola wants Manchester City to give Scott Carson a new deal at the club after hailing the goalkeeper's impact at the club.Carson, 35, is into his second season-long loan for the Blues from Derby County but has not played a game for them in his role as third keeper.He is currently self-isolating after becoming the latest first-team player to test positive for Covid-19, meaning he will not be part of the matchday squad for the FA Cup game with Birmingham on

straight to your inboxFernandinho's agent has talked up the prospect of a return to Brazilian side Athletico Paranaense when his contract with Manchester City expires this summer.The 35-year-old has entered the final months of his deal at the Etihad Stadium and has been free to discuss a pre-contractual agreement with clubs outside of England since the turn of the year.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola asked his Manchester City side for the same level of intensity in the second half of their Carabao Cup semi-final win over Manchester United to book their place in a fourth successive final.City and United had exchanged blows in the opening 45 minutes, with both sides having goals ruled out for offside and both goalkeepers making superb saves.

direct to your inboxManchester United and Manchester City are locking horns in a Carabao Cup semi-final tonight.City, winners of the competition in each of the last three seasons, tackle a United side looking to lift the competition for the first time since 2017. With the country having entered a third lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, Old Trafford will once again be without fans but it remains a fiercely-anticipated clash.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola has made two changes to his Manchester City side to face Manchester United in the Carabao Cup semi-final. With the semi-finals held over one leg this season, Guardiola named a strong side to try and reach a fourth successive final in the Carabao Cup.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola has suggested he will have to come up with another unorthodox attacking plan at Manchester United. Manchester City have played with a false centre-forward on a number of occasions during the coach's time at the club, and enjoyed great success in last year's Carabao Cup semi-final at Old Trafford where a 3-1 defeat flattered the hosts.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola is confident that Kevin De Bruyne will sign a new contract at Manchester City despite the absence of a breakthrough in negotiations. The Blues are keen to tie the 2019/20 Premier League Player of the Year down to a bumper deal that will commit him to the club beyond the terms of his current contract that expires in 2023.