Pep Guardiola felt he was forced into naming his unorthodox Manchester City defence against Salford which was made up of one senior centre-back, an academy defender, an academy midfielder on just his fourth start and an attacking midfielder out of position.

City put eight past Salford with no reply but were not perfect at the back as their makeshift defence just about held firm. Nathan Ake, the only senior recognised defender, was replaced at half-time, while Ruben Dias and John Stones were injured and Kyle Walker was omitted after asking to leave the club.

Josko Gvardiol and Rico Lewis - two of City's most-used players this season - were rested, and Guardiola insisted that he had no other choice with this selection. And in making his point, he alluded to City's transfer chase of two young centre-backs this month - Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis - as he hinted at more business in coming windows to fully solve the defence.

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"The reason why we have problems is we don't have a long squad," he said. "60 per cent of the players are injured. Our back four or five never tranied two sessions altogether. That's the problem we had. That's why we're trying in this market and the next one and next one to add some players."

City have agreed a deal to bring Khusanov, 20, to the Etihad from Lens. Palmeiras appear to be holding out for a deal for Reis that will see the teenager remain with them until the Club World Cup in the summer.

The Blues are also trying to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush, who scored his 19th goal of the season on Saturday, and could cost upwards of £50m.