Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has name-dropped two Academy stars who wil feature in the club’s third round Carabao Cup clash away to Huddersfield Town.

The City manager has already confirmed sweeping line-up changes for the midweek tie, with senior stars set to be rested following a congested period of Premier League and UEFA Champions League action.

With the focus firmly on upcoming fixtures against Burnley, AS Monaco, and Brentford, Pep Guardiola has turned to his youth ranks and fringe players to fill the squad for the trip to West Yorkshire.

Manchester City’s Carabao Cup campaigns in recent seasons have often doubled as a platform for Academy integration, before breaking into Guardiola’s senior squad, while new signings like are also expected to be given similar opportunities this season.

Guardiola’s approach also highlights his pragmatic stance on the competition despite lifting the trophy four times in succession between 2018 and 2021, and the Catalan coach has admits that domestic cups now fall behind the Premier League and Champions League in priority.

Specifically quizzed on Academy stars Divine Mukasa and Stephen Mfuni during his pre-match press conference, Guardiola confirmed that both of Manchester City’s Academy talents will be involved at the Accu Stadium on Wednesday night.

“Yeah, they have chance. They will come for sure and after we will see if they play from the beginning or during the game,” Guardiola confirmed.

“But some players of the academy, what happened last season against Spurs and before against Newcastle, two games away, like we played really, really good. We were out, but we played really good,” he added.

Guardiola continued by insisting that he has other priorities at present, thus opening the door for fringe players and younger names to feature in the Carabao Cup amid a challenging Premier League and UEFA Champions League fixture list.

“I always said before, it’s an incredible competition, for in the beginning for the guys who didn’t play in the first games, take rhythm and play,” said Guardiola.

“But when we have injuries like this right now, I will not spend too much energy for this competition because the priority is the Premier League and in these circumstances, the Premier League and the Champions League.”

The inclusion of Mukasa and Mfuni will excite Manchester City supporters, with Mukasa – who scored 16 goals and registered 15 assists in just 20 Under-18 Premier League appearances last season – considered one of the brightest prospects in English youth football.

As for Stephen Mfuni, the youngster has simultaneously emerged as a dependable option in defence and has trained with Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad in recent months.

Looking ahead, Pep Guardiola’s decision could signal the beginning of a breakthrough campaign for both and should they impress against Huddersfield, the pair may be rewarded with further first-team involvement later in the season, particularly with the FA Cup and potential fixture congestion providing more opportunities.