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MCFC Editorial

Media Watch: Semi-final focus!

All this morning's City-centric headlines are focused on tonight's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Manchester United.
Team news, predicted lineups, opinions and opposition views make up the column inches - and we've gathered together the best for your perusal.

Opinion
Manchester Evening News: How City should lineup v United
Stuart Brennan writes: “After giving his front-line stars the day off on Sunday, Pep can field his strongest available team without any qualms.

“He does not need any clever tactical formations, like he did at Old Trafford, just a trusted 4-3-3 - but with a nod to United's counter-attacking capability.
“With that in mind, Ilkay Gundogan might be included to give City a little more balance, rather than leaving Rodri as the only cover for the back four, keeping Bernardo Silva, who played a full 90 minutes on Sunday as fresh legs off the bench.
“With Kevin De Bruyne pushing on to support a front three of Riyad Mahrez - if fit - Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling, the Blues can play United at their own game and play on the counter."

Men's Team
Guardiola wants derby calm from City

Predictions
The Mirror: City v United predicted lineups for Carabao Cup semi-final
Gareth Bicknell writes: "Man City (4-3-3): Bravo; Cancelo, Stones, Fernandinho, Mendy; De Bruyne, Rodri, D Silva; Mahrez, Aguero, Sterling
"Man Utd (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Williams; Matic, Fred; James, Mata, Lingard; Martial."
View from the Opposition
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: "We're a little bit lighter but we can't just defend we have to go out there, try and keep the ball as well which isn't too easy because they're good at pressing so it needs to be perfect," said United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

"But we've done amazing things before at this club and with these players and the PSG game is for me a very good example how you can make a two-goal deficit work in your favour because we need the first goal."

Team news
BBC Sport: City v United – match preview
BBC Sport staff write: "United will travel across Manchester without several key players, including forward Marcus Rashford and midfielder Scott McTominay.
“Paul Pogba will also be absent at Etihad Stadium and fellow United midfielder Nemanja Matic is also doubtful after picking up a knock in Sunday's 6-0 win over Tranmere in the FA Cup fourth round."

That's all for this morning's Media Watch - but stay with us throughout the day as we bring you all the latest ahead of tonight's game.
And don't forget, you can follow the derby with live minute-by-minute text updates via our Matchday Centre.