Pep Guardiola could field a weakened team in Saturday’s Manchester derby to keep his Champions League ambitions on track.
The Manchester City manager will secure his first Premier League title with a win over neighbours United at the Etihad Stadium at the weekend.
But Guardiola is more concerned about the challenge of a two-legged European quarter-final against Liverpool – the first match is at Anfield tomorrow night – as City seek to reach the last four for only the second time in their history.
With the domestic title all but won, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss feels it is important to focus on the club’s ultimate ambition of Champions League success.
He made that clear after Saturday’s 3-1 Premier League win at Everton left his side 16 points clear of second-placed United with seven games left.
That means he is set to pick his strongest side for the two matches against Liverpool –the return is next Tuesday – with key players likely to be rested against United.
He explained his thinking to fans via Twitter, posting the following message: “We are going to adapt the Premier League game against United with respect to the Liverpool games in the Champions League.
"The line-up will be thinking about Liverpool.
“For the supporters I can understand. I’m a Barcelona supporter and we were able to win the league at home to Real Madrid and that is so special.”
It means that players such as Danilo, John Stones and Fabian Delph – likely to be on the fringes against Liverpool – are set to step up to face United.
Guardiola is fully aware that such an approach risks derby defeat, having seen his side lose two Champions League matches this season after significant squad rotation.