Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, FA Cup, FA, Huddersfield Town
Will Evans
Topics: Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, FA Cup, FA, Huddersfield Town
Manchester City will once again refuse to wear Emirates FA Cup badges on their shirt when they face Huddersfield in the third round on Sunday.
City kick off their defence of the trophy at home to Championship strugglers and will once again snub the FA by refusing to wear the competition sleeve badges.
The FA Cup is sponsored by Emirates which are one of two national flag carriers of the United Arab Emirates.
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The other is Etihad Airways, who are coincidently City's main shirt sponsor and hold the naming rights for their stadium.
Pep Guardiola's side triumphed in the competition last season defeating rivals Manchester United in the final on the way to an historic treble.
This isn't the first time City haven't worn the branded badges and in the 2019 final they added the word 'choose' above their Etihad sponsor, as reported by The Daily Star.
Whilst it's a relatively straightforward tie on Sunday, City will have to make sure they don't slip up against a Huddersfield side just three points above the Championship drop zone.
The Terriers head into the game on the back of two defeats and given the trouble they won't be prioritising a run in the FA Cup.
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City will be looking to get off to a good start in 2024, but despite having strong depth they are without several players due to injury and illness.
Guardiola could take a risk on Kevin de Bruyne who returned to the matchday squad for the first time since August last weekend.
Jeremy Doku and Erling Haaland remain a doubt and John Stones hasn't returned to training yet.
Kalvin Phillips may get a rare chance to start with Rodri also absent due to a family bereavement.
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The game has been picked for TV in the UK and will be shown on BBC iPlayer from 1.50pm.