Enzo Maresca has won his first three Premier League games, the Champions League opener against Porto, and sits top of the table. Now comes the part where it gets interesting.
The first Manchester derby of the season arrives on Sunday, with City travelling to Old Trafford. It is Maresca's first real big test in charge of the Blues.
Form book offers little comfort
City's start has been superb — three wins from three in the league, the Porto victory in Europe, and a view from the summit of the Premier League standings. The caveat is written into the fixture list itself. City were beaten last time out at Old Trafford, and Maresca's side will need to be sharper than they were for spells against Porto.
Josko Gvardiol was poor against Porto, which opens the door for a reshuffle at the back. Nico O'Reilly should be fit, a useful boost given the defensive questions. Ayyoub Bouaddi was superb against Porto, though the predicted XI suggests he may have to settle for a place among the substitutes.
Elliot Anderson dropped to the bench for the Porto game and should come back in. Jeremy Doku is unlikely to be fit, robbing City of a direct option out wide.
Predicted City lineup
Gianluigi Donnarumma starts in goal. Abdukodir Khusanov, Ruben Dias and Marc Guehi form the back line in front of him, with Nico O'Reilly and Elliot Anderson in midfield alongside Enzo Fernandez. Phil Foden, Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki support Erling Haaland in attack.
It is a lineup with plenty of craft but a few question marks about legs in wide areas without Doku. Maresca has backed his squad so far and been rewarded. Old Trafford on derby day is a different kind of examination.