The Manchester City Lineup That Should Start Against Burnley

Pep Guardiola will be scratching his head about what kind of team to put together to take on Burnley in the Carabao Cup this week, but not for the right reasons.

Manchester City's usual squad depth has been shattered by injuries to a handful of key players, leaving them with just one out-and-out striker and lacking defensive reinforcements. 17-year-old Liam Delap successfully stepped up to the challenge in his senior debut against Bournemouth, bagging a peach of a debut goal, but now has to prove it wasn't a fluke at Turf Moor.

Fortunately for City, Burnley are stretched with injuries too, making this an open contest. The Clarets never make it an easy game though, and Guardiola is tasked with finding the perfect blend of youth talent and experienced heads.

Here's how the Citizens should be lining up to secure a win against Burnley and advance to the fifth round of the cup.

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Zack Steffen (GK) - The American made his debut against Bournemouth in the third round and is being groomed into the role of the perfect understudy with sporadic cup appearances.

Kyle Walker (RB) - Walker's experience and ability across the defensive line will be vital in snuffing out any danger and helping out the younger heads around him.

Aymeric Laporte (CB) - Laporte is comfortably City's best defender when fit and is available once more following a spell out. He has to start.

Eric Garcia (CB) - His future at City is uncertain, but while they have him, they have to play him. Garcia will look more comfortable next to Frenchman Laporte.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB) - Zinchenko returned to the bench against Leicester and is likely to get a run out in the cup to regain match sharpness.

2. Midfielders

Rodri (DM) - The Spaniard blasted Leicester for their tactical approach that got them a comfortable victory over the weekend, so he'll be in for a shock when he starts against Burnley. That being said, he's a vital cog in City's midfield.

Tommy Doyle (DM) - Doyle earned praise from Guardiola following his performance against Bournemouth and is likely to be called upon once again here. The 18-year-old has a bright future.

Riyad Mahrez (RW) - Mahrez's early strike against his former employers wasn't enough at the weekend, but the Algerian is in a hot streak of form and could prove key to breaking down Burnley's defence.

Phil Foden (AM) - He's good, isn't he. Very good. Foden has to start, no questions asked.

Ferran Torres (LW) - City's summer signing has a job on his hands if he wishes to become a regular in the starting XI, but with injuries running rife, a match-winning performance against Burnley would do the trick.

3. Striker

Liam Delap (ST) - The 17-year-old looked seriously impressive on his senior debut. Physical, aggressive and also technically sound, Guardiola has to entrust him in the absence of Aguero and Jesus. Delap has all the tools and another goal would surely put him in contention to earn a Premier League start imminently.