Guardiola's plans in disarray after EFL's refusal to move the trophy into the quarter-finals

Manchester City is furious with the English Football League (EFL) and thinks Pep Guardiola has chosen his team well ahead of the Carabao Cup semi-final in Burton Albion next week.

Guardiola wanted to rest the vast majority of his first-team team for the return leg at Pirelli Stadium, given his nine-goal advantage.

His plans were however turned upside down by the refusal of the EFL, which had refused to move the quarterfinal of the city's Checkatrade trophy to Sunderland 24 hours earlier.

Pep Guardiola wanted to use both matches as a learning experience for his young players

It is understood that the city has proposed three alternative dates for this under-21 game, all of which have been rejected. The Carabao Cup and the Checkatrade Trophy are EFL competitions.

Guardiola hoped to offer two successive outings to his youth and explained that this would be a valuable learning opportunity for them.

The EFL has asked Premier League clubs to enter the controversial Checkatrade trophy as part of the 2016 overhaul and City lacks flexibility.

Guardiola wanted to take advantage of the mid-week to give his stars some respite, but he seems forced to take a number of big hitters to Burton for a dead ball.

Eric Garcia, the 18-year-old Spanish defender, started the first leg – he also played 24 hours after the last round of the Checkatrade trophy – and should make the trip.

After winning the first leg 9-0, Guardiola wanted to leave most of his team tied at Burton

Aro Muric and Phil Foden are both likely to start. Guardiola said David Silva needed a few minutes following an injury.

The city feels the respect that Guardiola has shown to the Carabao Cup – lining up strong teams every turn – should have given them some leeway to change dates.

The teenagers Claudio Gomes, Ian Carlos Poveda, Taylor Richards, Felix Nmecha, Luke Bolton, Iker Pozo and Benjamin Garre were all included in the team.

Guardiola is now facing tough decisions about whether he can still use a handful of young people in Burton while giving the under-21 team the best chance of qualifying for the semi-finals of the Checkatrade trophy.

An EFL spokesman said: "The schedule for Manchester City's visit to Sunderland as part of the Checkatrade Trophy was dated Tuesday, January 22. This decision was made after a thorough review of the statements of both clubs, as well as our own investigations.

"In the absence of mutual agreement between the clubs, the decision was made by the EFL executive. The position exposed by Manchester City is very much appreciated and the fact that the dating of this match may remove an opportunity for the young players of the Club to play a first team competition match with the semifinal of the Carabao Cup, 2nd stage next day.

"EFL is committed to providing valuable gaming opportunities to young players. He would have helped if it had been possible, but the replacement dates all had problems with them.

"The EFL is grateful for both clubs' support for the Checkatrade Trophy and Pep Guardiola's support for the Carabao Cup."