Pep Guardiola finally has the Man City squad he wanted at the start of the season

"Ruben is back," declared Pep Guardiola after Manchester City safely booked their place in the FA Cup quarter finals. "Manu is outstanding, Nathan all season has been top. Kevin is back... in the second half was the Kevin we know."

Asked if he had all of his best players returning to form, Guardiola listed nine players who impressed him at Ashton Gate, after praising two others immediately before. For the first time this season, Guardiola is heading for a fully-fit squad, with multiple options in every position.

And after making a concerted effort to thank City's travelling fans after their two long trips to Bournemouth and Bristol this week, after hugging every one of his players individually on the pitch. Guardiola is conducting a happy camp again - although there are no more happy flowers.

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"We need everyone," Guardiola continued. "Look at the 15-20 minutes Jack played, it was top, Riyad made an assist again in the first goal. Bernardo is helping all the time up front or defending... we need him in the process to play. Julian didn't score but how he fought and created chances and kept the ball and set balls for Kalvin and Rico.

"Rico maybe touched more balls because everyone passed the ball to him, such a clever player in the middle in the first half. Everyone passed the ball to him because he was a clever player in the middle in the first half."

When Guardiola takes his side to places like Bristol City, he wants fringe players to step up and his experienced players to set the standard. They did that on Tuesday, with players like De Bruyne, Foden and Phillips using the opportunity to play their way into form. Jack Grealish and Riyad