Pep Guardiola has emphasized that Manchester City will be prioritizing the Premier League and Champions League over the Carabao Cup this season. Despite securing a 2-1 win over Watford to advance to the fourth round, Guardiola intends to utilize his reserve players in the next fixture due to the team's busy schedule.

City to Stage Second Team in Carabao Cup

The gaffer of Manchester City has decided to field the squad's second team in the upcoming Carabao Cup fixture to preserve the energy of the first-team players. He expressed his reservations about the league's schedule but emphasized his team's commitment to competition with all opponents.

"The schedule is the schedule, we cannot handle it anyway. For McAtee, Nunes, Grealish, Foden, who didn't play, the young lad, 16 years old, it's perfect," Pep said

"That's why it's a good competition, otherwise we wouldn’t win four in a row. We play to go through. We never throw a competition. Never," he said.

Carabao Cup no more a priority 

Guardiola has consistently prioritized the Carabao Cup, winning the trophy four times in a row between 2018 and 2021. However, despite facing Watford just 48 hours after a 2-2 draw with Arsenal, the City boss made nine changes to his team, including giving debuts to 16-year-old and 19-year-old Kaden Braithwaite and Nico Reilly.

"But we played 50 hours ago. I’m not going to take a risk with the Premier League and the Champions League in this competition," he added

Erling Haaland sat out the match against Watford while key players such as Éderson, Rúben Dias, and Bernardo Silva were listed on the bench.

Guardiola emphasized his desire to win the Carabao Cup but suggested that he will persist in resting his top players as they pursue a fifth consecutive Premier League title.