Manchester City’s cup night against Norwich carried a clear message from Enzo Maresca: Erling Haaland would not be needed for the League Cup tie. The City manager, appointed in the summer as Pep Guardiola’s successor, left the Norwegian striker out of the squad altogether as he rotated heavily for Thursday’s visit of the Championship side.
Rúben Dias and Josko Gvardiol were also omitted from the matchday group. City have opened the Premier League season with four wins from four, matching Arsenal’s perfect start, and Maresca used the Carabao Cup’s round-of-32 finale to spread minutes through his squad.
Quick facts
- Manchester City faced Championship club Norwich in the final round-of-32 fixture.
- Erling Haaland, Rúben Dias and Josko Gvardiol were not selected.
- The winner will play Brighton in the League Cup last 16.
- Brighton are fifth in the Premier League and eliminated Manchester United 3-2 after recovering from 2-0 down.
- City and Arsenal have each won their first four league matches.
The route beyond Norwich is already set. Wednesday’s draw paired the eventual winner with Brighton, a side carrying momentum both in the league and in cup competition after their turnaround against Michael Carrick’s Manchester United.
At the Etihad, Maresca named Gerónimo Rulli in goal behind a reshaped defence of Rico Lewis, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis, Nico O’Reilly and Rayan Aït-Nouri. The midfield included Koba Bouaddi, Mateo Kovacic and Samba, while Allan and Rayan Cherki completed the starting side.
Gianluigi Donnarumma was among the substitutes, alongside Anderson, Marc Guéhi, Ndiaye, Fernández, Matheus Nunes, Antoine Semenyo, McAidoo and Braithwaite.
Norwich arrived with Grimshaw, Fisher, Alves, Darling, Yongwa, Wright, Field, Crnac, Slimane, Diallo and Kvistgaarden in their starting XI. For City, the evening was as much about managing a demanding early-season calendar as reaching the next round, where Brighton await.
