Manchester City dealt a huge Carabao Cup fixture calamity courtesy of Man United

Manchester City are confronted with a fixture nightmare later this month as a result of UEFA’s modifications to the Champions League and Europa League. The games against Arsenal and Watford are separated by only two days.

Manchester City have been faced with an unfavourable sequence of fixtures, as their League Cup match against Watford is scheduled to occur just two days following a critical Premier League match against Arsenal.

City are scheduled to host Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, September 22, and Watford will subsequently travel to Manchester on Tuesday, September 24. This implies that City will be unable to train in between the two games, which raises concerns regarding the welfare of the players.

Pep Guardiola has previously expressed his dissatisfaction with the schedule, announcing last season that it was “unacceptable” that City were scheduled to face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals just three days after their Champions League quarter-final loss to Real Madrid on penalties.

Guardiola declared, “It is intolerable,” subsequent to Chelsea’s 1-0 victory. “It is truly intolerable.” Coventry, United, and Chelsea do not participate in the week; however, they permitted us to participate today. Next week, on Friday, would be preferable.

“Instead of Saturday, schedule it for Friday to allow us to recuperate.” It is impossible due to the players’ health. This is not normal. In all honesty, it is not typical. We lacked the courage to inform you that we would cease our communication with FIFA; however, this is impossible. 120 minutes is an unacceptable amount of time.

“Each of you is a football player.” The quarter-final against Madrid, the emotion, the loss, and everything. So honestly, I know this country, it is remarkable for many things but it is for the health of the players. I don’t comprehend how we survived today.”

UEFA’s alterations to the Champions League and Europa League formats are responsible for the latest scheduling nightmare, with City unable to have an extra rest day and host Watford on Wednesday, September 25.

Local rivals Manchester United are scheduled to play FC Twente at Old Trafford that same evening, with the Manchester Evening News reporting that UEFA were ‘unwilling to move that game’ and Greater Manchester Police were reluctant for two matches to be played on the same night.

The last time they both played at home on the same day was in October 2015 when City beat Crystal Palace 5-1 in the fourth round of the League Cup, while United were knocked out of the competition on penalties by Middlesbrough.