Manchester City have received a timely boost ahead of their FA Cup fourth-round clash with Salford City, thanks to a recent rule change that allows new signing Marc Guehi to feature in the match. The England defender, who joined from Crystal Palace in a £20million January transfer, would typically have been ineligible after playing for Palace in an earlier round, but an amendment to the competition's regulations has provided Pep Guardiola's side with a defensive reprieve.
Rule Alteration Explained
The FA Cup rulebook was updated before this season, permitting players to represent multiple clubs in the tournament, provided they do not play for more than one club in any single round. Specifically, the rule states: "A Player shall only play for one Club in the Competition during the same Season, save that a Player that has played for one Club in the Qualifying Competition and/or the Competition Proper may play for a maximum of one other Club in the Competition Proper (but may only play for a maximum of one Club in any given round of the Competition)."
Impact on Manchester City
This change comes as a relief for City, who are grappling with defensive injuries. John Stones and Josko Gvardiol remain sidelined, though Ruben Dias recently returned as a substitute in the victory over Liverpool. Guehi's availability is particularly crucial as he has quickly integrated into the team since his arrival, offering Guardiola additional options at centre-back.
Guehi captained Crystal Palace in their surprising elimination to Macclesfield last month, a performance that would have previously ruled him out of City's FA Cup campaign. However, the new rule means he can now contribute to City's pursuit of silverware, providing a significant advantage against League Two opponents Salford City.
Contrast with Carabao Cup Situation
In a contrasting scenario, City's plea to amend Carabao Cup rules was dismissed by the English Football League, leaving Guehi ineligible for the competition. Unlike fellow new signing Semenyo, who joined before the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, Guehi arrived after that deadline and could not feature in the return match against Newcastle United or the final against Arsenal. This highlights the differing regulations across English cup competitions.
Match Context and Expectations
Manchester City enter the fourth round in strong form, having cruised past Exeter City with a commanding 10-1 victory in the previous round, with Semenyo among the scorers. Salford City, managed by Karl Robinson, advanced with a 3-2 win over Swindon Town, following earlier successes against Lincoln City and Leyton Orient.
Robinson acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating in January: "It is a testament to the players that they have managed to find their way through to this stage. We haven't had an easy run to this point. We've been in some very difficult games and every team we have played against has been in the league above us." Salford will aim to pull off an improbable upset at the Etihad Stadium, but City's near-full strength, bolstered by Guehi's eligibility, presents a formidable obstacle.
The match is scheduled for Saturday, with City coming off a midweek victory over Fulham, while Salford last played on Thursday, February 5. This fixture underscores the unpredictability of the FA Cup, where rule changes can directly influence team dynamics and outcomes.
