Manchester City hand Iliman Ndiaye first start as Enzo Fernandez and Ayoub Bouaddi begin on bench against Coventry

Manchester City have named Iliman Ndiaye in their starting line-up for the first time since he joined the club, with Enzo Fernandez and Ayoub Bouaddi among the substitutes for their Premier League meeting with Coventry City at the Etihad Stadium.

The match is the third round of the Premier League season, and Manchester City go into it top of the table with six points from their opening two fixtures. They began their campaign with victories over Crystal Palace and Bournemouth.

Ndiaye’s selection is the main change of significance in the Manchester City line-up, with the forward making his first start since arriving at the club. Fernandez and Bouaddi, meanwhile, are on the bench for the first time.

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has selected Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal, while the defence consists of Abdukodir Khusanov, Marc Guehi, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol.

Elliot Anderson, Nico O’Reilly and Rayan Cherki make up the midfield. Ndiaye starts in attack alongside Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo.

The full Manchester City line-up is:

Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma

Defenders: Abdukodir Khusanov, Marc Guehi, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol

Midfielders: Elliot Anderson, Nico O’Reilly, Rayan Cherki

Forwards: Iliman Ndiaye, Erling Haaland, Antoine Semenyo

Fernandez and Bouaddi are among the players available from the substitutes’ bench, having not previously been named there for Manchester City in the campaign. Their inclusion gives Maresca further options during a fixture in which the league leaders are seeking to maintain their perfect start.

Manchester City’s six points have come from their wins against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth, leaving them at the summit before the meeting with Coventry. The game at the Etihad Stadium represents their third Premier League fixture of the season, with the team’s starting line-up now confirmed ahead of kick-off.

Ndiaye’s first start provides the headline team-news development, while the presence of Fernandez and Bouaddi among the substitutes marks another notable detail in the squad selected by Maresca.