Man City winter break plans confirmed ahead of FA Cup fixture at Tottenham

Manchester City will head out for a week of warm-weather training in Abu Dhabi during their winter break.

The Premier League have given all teams a week off competition in an effort to allow players to rejuvenate for the second half of the campaign. Pep Guardiola's side sit in third place after 19 of their 38 matches, five points off leaders Liverpool with a game in hand.

Despite suggestions that they could use their break this month to rearrange the home game with Brentford that was postponed in December due to their Club World Cup participation, that fixture will take place later in the season with the Premier League preserving the break. The only factor that could have prevented City heading away was an FA Cup third round replay, but a 5-0 win over Huddersfield has given the Blues the all-clear.

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City players will enjoy a few days off after the Premier League game at Newcastle on Saturday before reconvening in the middle of next week to head to Abu Dhabi. They are expected to be there for a week before returning in time for their FA Cup fourth round clash at Tottenham, which is still to be scheduled.

Speaking of the plan before it was confirmed, Guardiola said: “Last season we were there in the World Cup and it had an incredible impact for the staff and everyone. The five titles [that the team went on to win in 2023] prove it.

“We go there to train in better weather, to be together – training, training and training to prepare for the second part of the season."