Although the majority of his best team has returned, spots are still up for grabs according to Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.
There is only one side of Manchester that is depressed right now, and it isn’t the Manchester City half.
City now feel ready to go on the kind of run that wins championships, following a strong but unsteady start to the season. When it comes to their start, Manchester United can only hope to be as unsteady as their neighbours.
The season began with plenty of turmoil for Pep Guardiola’s team. John Stones, Bernardo Silva, Jack Grealish, Mateo Kovacic, and Kevin De Bruyne were all injured. The vital duo of Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez left in the summer. Kevin De Bruyne played just 20 minutes before being out for the remainder of the season.
Nevertheless, City continued as usual, showing no signs of abnormality. They started the season with six straight victories. Last season, they didn’t win four straight until February, which is a very positive sign considering how that season transpired.
Rodri turned out to be the Jenga block that was needed to bring down the entire tower. The three games the Spaniard was suspended for—two crucial Premier League encounters against Wolves and Arsenal—were all losses.
An otherwise respectable start was marred by two drab losses in quick succession, which in retrospect made the earlier lacklustre efforts appear even worse. Despite the victories, City hadn’t played particularly well, and there was concern that all the issues might still be present.
It turns out that you will perform worse if half of your team that won the treble is out of the game. Good times come back when they return.
With the return of Grealish, Bernardo, and Stones to meaningful action following the international break, City has been able to resume winning ways and their performances have been getting better over time. Though they had to battle to win against Brighton and Young Boys, United stunned everyone with their finest performance of the year.
Guardiola’s strongest team appears to consist primarily of the starting lineup at Old Trafford after such a comprehensive and thrilling performance. Right now, there are just two spots available.
Oddly enough, both are located on the left side. Grealish’s outstanding performance in the derby, which was full of cutting-edge attacking actions, quieted many of his detractors. The No. 10 was taking shots, making through balls, driving at the defence, and generally being very productive.
This kind of performance is exactly what he needed as the fans’ pressure on him has increased following Jeremy Doku’s impressive debut for City. Some are frustrated that Grealish doesn’t attack more because of the young Belgian’s amazing speed, skill, and directness.
Grealish demonstrated that he can still be useful in that regard, but Doku’s quicker speed still gives him an advantage on the left. Going forward, anticipate that the left wing will continue to be rotated.
Then, concerns still surround Josko Gvardiol at left back. The recent addition is having trouble adjusting to his new role. It’s odd that Guardiola hasn’t given Stones and Ruben Dias more of an opportunity at centre back yet, as it is evident that he prefers their combination.
Gvardiol was the only nervous element of the team at Old Trafford, despite his promising future. His timing and positioning at the back are still in doubt. After a stellar season the previous year, Nathan Ake will be looking to reclaim his spot.
Otherwise, it’s now evident who Guardiola’s starting lineup is and who is in the backup, at least until De Bruyne returns.