The FA Cup’s magic is alive and well as Manchester City welcome Salford City to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, February 14, 2026, for a fourth-round clash that’s got everyone talking. With seventy league places separating the two Greater Manchester clubs, it’s a classic David vs. Goliath scenario—one that’s set the stage for a fascinating afternoon of English football.
Manchester City, under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, enter the tie as overwhelming favorites. The Citizens have been in sparkling form, having dispatched Exeter City with a jaw-dropping 10-1 victory in the previous round and following that up with a convincing 3-0 win over Fulham in the Premier League. The Etihad faithful will be hoping for another dominant display, but with the FA Cup’s reputation for upsets, nothing can be taken for granted.
Salford City, meanwhile, are living the dream. The League Two side, owned by several Manchester United legends, have already made club history by reaching this stage after a hard-fought 3-2 win over Swindon Town. A narrow 1-0 defeat to Accrington Stanley last week was a setback, but the Ammies remain in the League Two playoff zone, sitting sixth and ten points off the summit. The chance to face their illustrious neighbors on such a grand stage is a reward in itself, but Salford’s players and fans will be daring to dream of an even bigger prize: a place in the FA Cup’s fifth round, which would mark a club-record achievement.
For Manchester City, the fixture comes at a crucial juncture in their season. Having narrowly lost last year’s FA Cup final to Crystal Palace, Guardiola’s men are determined to go one better this time around. The Premier League title race remains tight, with City chasing Arsenal at the top of the table, but the FA Cup represents a golden opportunity for silverware—especially since Guardiola hasn’t lifted the famous trophy since 2023. The Catalan coach is expected to rotate his squad, but with depth and quality all over the pitch, City’s lineup still reads like a who’s who of European football.
However, the hosts will be without some key names for this encounter. Erling Haaland, City’s prolific Norwegian striker, misses out after picking up a knock in the midweek win over Fulham. Guardiola confirmed in his pre-match press conference, “Erling’s not 100%. It’s not a big issue, the doctor said to me. But had some disturbance before and during the game and that’s why second half he didn’t play. We will see his evolution.” Haaland’s absence is seen as a precaution, with the club eager to have him fit for the next Premier League clash against Newcastle United. Also sidelined are Josko Gvardiol (tibial fracture), Mateo Kovacic (ankle/heel), Jeremy Doku (calf), Savinho (unspecified), and Bernardo Silva.
In Haaland’s place, Omar Marmoush gets the nod to lead the line, joined by Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki in a dynamic front three. The predicted Manchester City starting XI features Trafford in goal; Khusanov, Stones, Alleyne, and Aït-Nouri across the back; Nico, Lewis, and Reijnders in midfield; with Foden, Marmoush, and Cherki up top. The bench is stacked as ever, with Donnarumma, Dias, Guéhi, Rodri, Nunes, O’Reilly, Semenyo, McAidoo, and Samba all available for selection.
Salford City, for their part, arrive with a few selection headaches of their own. Jay Bird, Tom Edwards, Adebola Oluwo, Michael Rose, and Kadeem Harris are all unavailable, but manager Neil Wood (supported by the club’s famous ownership group) will select from a spirited squad that’s shown grit and determination throughout their cup run. The predicted Salford lineup includes Young in goal; Turton, Dorrington, and Garbutt in defense; Butcher, Longelo, Grant, Woodburn, and N’Mai across midfield; with Graydon and Udoh forming the strike partnership. All eyes will be on veteran winger Fabio Borini, who brings Premier League pedigree and has a knack for big-game moments—he scored twice against City during his top-flight days with Sunderland and Liverpool.
This is not the first time these teams have met in the FA Cup. Just last season, Manchester City handed Salford an 8-0 drubbing in the third round—a result that still stings for the Ammies. Yet, cup football is all about hope and redemption, and Salford’s players will be eager to put on a better show this time around. The short, 15-minute drive from Salford’s home ground to the Etihad means this is very much a local derby, even if the odds are stacked against the visitors.
Commentators and pundits have been quick to predict another comfortable win for the Premier League giants, with scoreline forecasts ranging from 5-0 to 7-0 in City’s favor. But as any football fan knows, the FA Cup has a habit of tearing up the script. Could Salford spring one of the biggest upsets in recent memory? Or will City’s class and experience prove too much for their lower-league opponents?
For those looking to catch the action, the match is being broadcast across several platforms. In the United States, fans can tune in via ESPN Deportes, ESPN Select, fuboTV, and the ESPN App. Canadian viewers have access through Sportsnet One and Sportsnet Plus, while those in the UK and Ireland can follow the drama on Talksport 2 Radio. Kickoff is set for 10 a.m. ET (3 p.m. local time) at the Etihad Stadium, with the winner booking a coveted spot in the FA Cup’s fifth round.
As the teams take to the pitch, the storylines are as rich as ever: City’s quest for silverware, Salford’s pursuit of history, the absence of star striker Haaland, and the tantalizing prospect of a giant-killing. One thing’s for sure—this is what the FA Cup is all about.
With the match underway, the world watches to see if Salford City can defy the odds or if Manchester City will once again assert their dominance at the Etihad. The stakes are high, the atmosphere electric, and as the whistle blows, anything feels possible in this all-Manchester affair.