Pep Guardiola was never going to reveal his true 'Plan B' for coping without Rodri when Manchester City took on Watford in the Carabao Cup - but there was the potential for some players to rule themselves out of contention for the role.
With two games in three days, rotation and preservation was the name of the game for Guardiola when selecting his team. That's why he named two academy players in his starting line up including a 16-year-old who hadn't played above under-19 level. For others, though, this was an ideal chance to put themselves back in Guardiola's thinking after slipping down the pecking order.
Take James McAtee, for example - hopeful of more games this term after staying put, but so far mostly playing a watching role. Four minutes in he led the press, intercepted a back pass, and City were ahead.
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McAtee wasn't perfect by any means - a few wrong decisions or overhit passes. But the intent was always there and he was unlucky not to get on the end of at least two dangerous crosses. It was his sliding pass to play a one-two with Rico Lewis that set up the second goal, and he looked determined to show Guardiola what he can offer in those small spaces where the manager speaks so highly of him.
Nico O'Reilly is another. A first team player now after impressing on tour, O'Reilly spends his week training with Guardiola and will only play for the academy if he is surplus to requirements for the first team manager. This was a perfect game to show what he has learned this summer since his Community Shield debut, especially with Rodri out.
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