Manchester City v Salford City: Gut Feelings

Manchester City resume their FA Cup campaign at the Etihad Stadium with League Two visitors Salford City, the same opponents they demolished 8-0 in last season’s competition. That tie, labelled by some as a meeting with “United’s B Team,” ended in a record-equalling rout that lingered in the memory of both sets of supporters. Twelve months on, the Blues arrive in formidable form after putting ten past Exeter City in the previous round, a result that drew criticism from rival fans who claimed City should have eased off to allow academy players a moment in the spotlight. Whether Pep Guardiola’s side show similar ruthlessness this afternoon remains a talking point inside the stadium.

Salford, owned by the group of former Manchester United players fronted by Paul Scholes, have generated headlines since their takeover yet currently sit in the League Two play-off places, ten points adrift of the summit. Back-to-back defeats in their last three league fixtures have tempered early-season optimism, and the prospect of another trip to the Etihad is unlikely to be relished behind the scenes. The Ammies will at least take solace from the absence of live television cameras, sparing them the scrutiny that accompanied last term’s televised humiliation.

Rotation is expected on both benches, yet City’s depth still points to a comfortable home win. Semedo and Haaland are tipped to start unless rested, while Salford’s hope of springing a surprise may hinge on capitalising on any early lethargy. One pundit inside the club predicts the visitors could even strike first, prompting a barrage of camera shots toward the directors’ box where Scholes is seated, before City’s quality ultimately tells.

History offers Salford little comfort: the sides have met only once, and that ended in an eight-goal margin. Repeating that tally may be optimistic, yet few inside the ground expect anything other than a routine passage to the next round for the holders.