Pep Guardiola reveals why Manchester City refused to move their Carabao Cup clash against Watford to London, forcing them to play twice in just 49 HOURS later this month

Pep Guardiola has revealed that Manchester City turned down the chance to change the location and date of an upcoming Carabao Cup tie to help ease their fixture congestion. 

The Premier League champions are gearing up for the first intense stretch of the new campaign as European commitments are added to domestic cup and league matches. 

City are set to play four games in three different competitions over the next 11 games, starting with Saturday’s home clash against Brentford. Next week, they have just one full day between clashes against Arsenal and Watford.

The City boss revealed that his team were offered the chance to play the game against the Hornets on Thursday instead, or move the clash to London – which would allow them to meet on Wednesday when Man United will be playing in the Europa League at Old Trafford. 

The expanded European calendar is set to wreak havoc on several team’s slate according to the Spaniard, who once against urged the authorities to consider player safety. 

Manchester City face a tough schedule as they go in search of domestic and European glory

‘It’s going to happen many times. When someone creates another new competition, it’s going to be even worse.’ He told reporters ahead of the visit of Brentford. ‘It’s impossible to fix all the schedules and calendars.

‘People say with players and managers with the money they shouldn’t complain but it’s not that – it’s about the health.

‘Doctors especially say the bodies have to recover for four or five days. We did three and now two.

‘We’re not going to change, the meetings are useless. If they decide they’re going to do it they’re going to do it.’

On the decision to host next week’s League Cup tie at the Etihad, he added: ‘I prefer to play at home than go to London because this way our fans can watch this lovely, adorable team at home.

‘That’s why I decided to play on Tuesday. If we had said Thursday we wouldn’t have time to recover to go to Newcastle.

‘Hopefully we can select two teams and be fit and have no injuries but everyone knows the schedule will be tight this season.’

Erling Haaland is a doubt for the weekend visit of Brentford following the death of a family friend this week

The Premier League champion’s relentless agenda begins with the fixture against Thomas Frank’s side on Saturday afternoon. The Bees are the last team to claim a win at the Etihad, almost two years ago. 

City may be without star man Erling Haaland, who could be granted compassionate leave following the death of a family friend this week.