Man City vs Salford City: FA Cup Fourth Round Brings Etihad Spotlight and Salford’s Rebrand Story
Salford City take a rare trip back to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, facing Manchester City in the FA Cup fourth round at 9: 30 a. m. ET. The fixture presents a brief moment on football’s biggest stage for the League Two side — and comes as Salford pushes a high-profile rebrand, hoping to broaden its identity beyond local roots.
Big-stage reunion at the Etihad
Last season’s meeting ended in an 8-0 defeat for Salford, a result that underlines the gulf in resources and quality between the neighbours. Still, a cup tie at the Etihad is an occasion few League Two players experience, and Salford head into Saturday’s game off the back of their first-ever progression to the fourth round following a chaotic 3-2 win in the prior round. For Manchester City, the match represents an opportunity to rotate and maintain momentum as they chase multiple trophies.
Salford’s rebrand: orange-and-black returns
The visit takes on extra narrative value because Salford has announced plans to return to its traditional orange-and-black colours from the 2026-27 season. The change follows a fan ballot in which 77. 1% voted to revert to orange-and-black and 72% backed a new club badge. Club owners hope the shift will restore a distinct identity for Salford and increase recognition beyond Greater Manchester.
David Beckham — a shareholder who has been involved in recent ownership moves — argued that club colours can be central to identity and fan connection, saying the return to orange will better reflect what Salford is about. Salford’s chief executive has similarly framed the change as correcting an earlier decision that had blurred the club’s standing in a city crowded with iconic teams.
From Class of ’92 ownership to new ambitions
The club’s trajectory since the 2014 takeover has been rapid: four promotions in five seasons took Salford from the lower tiers into the Football League by 2019. While ownership has shifted and not every decision landed with supporters, the current stated ambition is to become the "best small club in the world by 2030. " The rebrand and planned stadium colour changes are part of a wider strategy to build a more recognisable, exportable identity.
Team news and tactical notes
Manchester City arrive after a 3-0 win over Fulham and a dominant 10-1 victory in the previous FA Cup round, demonstrating their firepower even when making changes. Erling Haaland returned to scoring form in the league but was withdrawn at half-time with a suspected knock; Pep Guardiola said the striker’s availability would be decided after Friday’s training session. John Stones is also under fitness assessment, while other absences persist in midfield and wide areas.
Salford will likely set up conservatively, seeking to frustrate and take advantage of any second-half opportunities. Their manager faces a familiar task: motivate a semi-professional-calibre squad to perform at a higher level and embrace the occasion for the players and fans who have backed their run to the fourth round.
What to expect and the broader picture
On the field, the result is predictable given City’s class, depth and recent scoring. Off it, the tie is valuable publicity for Salford’s rebrand and long-term goals. A credible showing at the Etihad would boost the club’s profile as it leans into a more distinctive visual identity and broader ambitions. For City, the fixture offers rotation minutes and a chance to protect key players while sustaining momentum in a congested schedule.
Saturday’s kick-off at 9: 30 a. m. ET will provide a short but vivid snapshot of where both clubs stand: one entrenched at the elite level, the other trying to turn identity and strategic shifts into wider recognition.
