BLUES TO PLAY BY THE RULES

MANCHESTER CITY face a race against time to trim their squad to meet both Premier League and Champions League rules.

- by SIMON MULLOCK

Pep Guardiola insists he has too many players but the need to cut numbers is also being driven by the prospect of having to leave bodies out of the manager's plans.

City have 32 squad players and although league rules on homegrown players and those aged under 21 means they only have to sell one before the transfer window closes, regulations in Europe means up to five need to go.