How Manchester City could line up against Rotherham United

Manchester City will put their renewed title charge on hold when they welcome Championship side Rotherham United to the Etihad Stadium in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday.

The champions of England go into the game off the back of a rousing 2-1 victory over Premier League leaders Liverpool, closing the gap at the top of the table to four points.

The FA Cup is the only major domestic honour missing from Pep Guardiola's resume at City, and their attention must now turn to competitions aside from the league with an EFL Cup semi-final following Sunday's match too.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how City could line up for the first of that cup double-header.

Out: Benjamin Mendy (knee), Fabian Delph (suspended), Claudio Bravo (Achilles), Eliaquim Mangala (knee) Doubtful: Aymeric Laporte (knock)

The intensity of the match against Liverpool on Thursday means that Guardiola is likely to make wholesale changes, and it would be something of a surprise if any of the starters that night are named in the XI again on Sunday.

City are still able to name a strong team, though, and a notable inclusion could be Kevin De Bruyne as he looks to get some much-needed minutes under his belt having been left on the bench against Liverpool.

The cup competitions are an ideal chance to hand first-team football to youngsters such as Phil Foden, Eric Garcia and Brahim Diaz, the latter of whom could make his farewell appearance for City having been heavily linked with Real Madrid.

Even in a second-string side Guardiola can call upon the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Riyad Mahrez, Ilkay Gundogan, Nicolas Otamendi and Kyle Walker, while Arijanet Muric will be hopeful of another chance in goal.