Mukasa Debuts as City Turn to Youth in Huddersfield Clash
Manchester City’s Carabao Cup third-round tie against Huddersfield Town has taken on a different flavor tonight, as Pep Guardiola has turned to youth in a big way. Academy midfielder Divine Mukasa, just 18 years old, has been handed his first senior start for the club, and he’s not alone—five other Academy graduates have been included in the starting XI. It’s a significant moment for the young players and a bold decision by Guardiola, who has made nine changes from the side that featured in City’s recent matches.
For Mukasa, this is the culmination of years of hard work. He impressed in preseason when he appeared against Palermo, and tonight he steps onto the competitive stage for the first time. The midfielder has already built a reputation in youth football, having played a major role in City’s FA Youth Cup success last season. Across 41 appearances in the 2023/24 campaign, he scored 16 goals and provided 15 assists, underlining his quality and consistency. Now, he becomes the latest in a line of Academy graduates trusted to make the leap into Guardiola’s senior squad.
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Joining him are the likes of Oscar Bobb, Nico O’Reilly, and Rico Lewis, while established star Phil Foden also starts, providing experience among the youth. City captain John Stones returns to the lineup and wears the armband, while Nathan Ake adds defensive solidity. The setup is expected to be a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Lewis stepping into midfield for his 99th appearance, and Savinho leading the line.
On the bench, there’s more promise for the future. The Heskey brothers, Jaden and Reigan, are waiting for their chance, alongside Stephen Mfuni. All three could make their debuts if called upon. Kaden Braithwaite, who made his first senior appearance in this same competition a year ago, also features among the substitutes.
Guardiola’s changes are partly a necessity. The fixture list has been heavy, and injuries have played a role. Abdukodir Khusanov is sidelined after picking up a knock in the recent 1-1 draw with Arsenal, while Erling Haaland is nursing a minor back problem. Rodri, meanwhile, has been given time to recover after a long spell out, and several other key names—including Rayan Cherki, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Omar Marmoush, and Mateo Kovačić—remain unavailable.
For Huddersfield, history is not on their side. They have lost each of their last five domestic cup ties against City, including a 5-0 defeat in the FA Cup just last year. City are unbeaten in their last eight meetings with the Terriers, and recent encounters have been one-sided, with an aggregate score of 14-1 in City’s favor across the last three matches. Still, Huddersfield are chasing history of their own. A win tonight would take them into the fourth round of the League Cup for the first time since the 1999/2000 season.
The stage is set in West Yorkshire. For Guardiola, this match is as much about giving his young talents a platform as it is about progressing in the competition. For Mukasa and the other Academy graduates, it’s a chance to prove that Manchester City’s future is in safe hands.
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