Kaden Braithwaite, 16, makes first City start in Carabao Cup third round

Manchester City have confirmed their starting line-up for their Carabao Cuop third round clash with Watford.

City are hunting for their eight EFL Cup triumph and their fifth under Pep Guardiola as they host the Championship side, managed by former Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley.

The hosts come into the game fresh off their dramatic 2-2 draw with title rivals Arsenal on Sunday, with the Hornets looking to bounce back from a 4-1 loss at Norwich.

Though he may have been rested for the cup clash, it is City’s first game since influential midfielder Rodri was ruled out for a significant period after getting injured against the Gunners.

Man City starting XI

Academy graduate Kaden Braithwaite is set to make his first City start at just 16 after being named in Guardiola’s starting XI.

At 16 years and 183 days, Braithwaite will become City’s third youngest defender in the club’s history as he partners John Stones in defence.

A youthful side sees Nico O’Reilly and James McAtee start in midfield, with Kyle Walker named captain.

With Erling Haaland rested, City have named a dynamic front three comprising of Jeremy Doku, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden.

City XI: Ortega Moreno, Walker (C), Stones, Braithwaite, Lewis, O’Reilly, Nunes, McAtee, Doku, Grealish, Foden

Subs: Ederson, Dias, Kovacic, Gundogan, Bernardo, Gvardiol, Akanji, Savinho, Wright

Tonight’s City team! 🩵

XI | Ortega Moreno, Walker (C), Stones, Braithwaite, Lewis, O’Reilly, Nunes, McAtee, Doku, Grealish, Foden

SUBS | Ederson, Dias, Kovacic, Gundogan, Bernardo, Gvardiol, Akanji, Savinho, Wright#ManCity | @etihad pic.twitter.com/eHQcoJHLJr

— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 24, 2024

Watford starting XI

The headline from Watford’s camp is that summer signing Angelo Ogbonna starts in defence for the first time following his free transfer to Vicarage Road.

Festy Ebosele also makes his Hornets debut as part of 10 changes from Cleverley for the cup clash.

A first outing in yellow for Ogbonna. #WatfordFC | @Carabao_Cup pic.twitter.com/FLiZcOLDPE

— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) September 24, 2024