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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
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Dan Brown

Alvarez and Walker start as Man City fans name line-up they want to see vs Sheffield United

Manchester City will have the chance to reach the FA Cup final when they take on Championship side Sheffield United in the semi-finals on Saturday.

The Blues, who thrashed Burnley in the last round of the competition, are favourites to progress to the final, but Pep Guardiola and his players will not be underestimating Paul Heckingbottom's men. City remain on course to win a treble this season, with the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League all still on the cards.

Guardiola's side - who last lifted the FA Cup in 2019 - will be without defender Nathan Ake for the clash against the Blades. The Dutch defender suffered a hamstring injury in the Champions League quarter-final tie with Bayern Munich earlier this week. It remains unclear how long the player will be sidelined for.

ALSO READ: How Man City should line up vs Sheffield United in FA Cup semi-final

With the clash against Sheffield United providing the Blues with a chance to reach another final, supporters want to see Guardiola name a strong side. Here's how MEN Sport readers think the team should line up for the clash against the Blades:

Goalkeeper - Stefan Ortega

With Stefan Ortega having played in every single FA Cup match so far this season, Blues fans want to see the German shot-stopper continue as the domestic cup goalkeeper. The 30-year-old is yet to concede a goal in the famous competition, having kept a clean sheet in each of the four FA Cup games this term.

Defenders - Kyle Walker, Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte

Guardiola has not been afraid to mix up his defence this season, so it would not come as a surprise to see the Spaniard make changes against United. The formation City have been playing with in recent weeks has allowed them to get more centre-backs on the pitch, so Manuel Akanji and Ruben Dias, who have performed well recently, should both start in the semi-final clash.

Blues fans want Aymeric Laporte to come in for the injured Ake, which would come as a blow to natural full-back Sergio Gomez. On the other flank, Kyle Walker - who played just two minutes across the two legs with Bayern Munich - is likely to get the chance to start against his boyhood club.

Midfielders - Rodri, Kalvin Phillips, Kevin De Bruyne

Kalvin Phillips has started just two matches for City since signing from Leeds - one of which came in the FA Cup win over Bristol City in February. It has not been the debut campaign the England international was hoping for, but supporters are keen for him to play alongside Rodri at Wembley on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Kevin De Bruyne, who has registered 26 assists in 41 appearances in all competitions this campaign, will be hoping to progress to another final with the Blues and will almost certainly start in the game. The Belgian ace has been electric in recent weeks and is a joy to watch for fans.

Forwards - Riyad Mahrez, Julian Alvarez, Jack Grealish

Despite registering a hat-trick in the 6-0 win over Burnley in the last round, Erling Haaland has been backed to have a rest. This would likely see Julian Alvarez start in his place against the Blades - and the Argentine ace would relish the opportunity. The World Cup winner has been impressive this season, scoring 14 times, including three in the FA Cup.

Jack Grealish is arguably one of City's most important players nowadays, which shows exactly why the Blues were so keen to bring him to the Etihad. On the other flank, supporters want to see Riyad Mahrez start at Wembley, with the Algerian ace having remained as an unused substitute against Bayern.

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