Five wins, top of the table, and a defence that keeps shipping goals

City have won all five games and sit top of the pile. They have also just conceded three at home to Sunderland. Both things are true, and Enzo Maresca seems entirely comfortable with the arrangement.

After watching his side score five to beat the Black Cats at the Etihad, Maresca made no attempt to hide his irritation with the defensive side of the performance. He called the goals conceded "too easy" and admitted he would "prefer to win 1-0." Ruben Dias and Matheus Nunes, in particular, struggled.

That was last week. This week, sources have told Football Insider that City will continue to try and outscore teams rather than improve their defensive record. Maresca will not change his style, because he knows his forward line should outscore most teams this season.

Four clean sheets, then three goals

It is worth remembering that City had kept four consecutive clean sheets across all competitions before Sunderland arrived at the Etihad. The defensive concerns are real, but they are also recent. A new defender has been touted for January, though nothing is imminent.

For now, the attacking quartet of Erling Haaland, Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki and Iliman Ndiaye is the plan. Semenyo was in fine form against Sunderland. Haaland, remarkably, provided only one goal contribution despite the team bagging five. The top scorer can afford an off-day when the supporting cast performs like that.

Haaland's future, meanwhile, has been widely discussed since Pep Guardiola's exit. Barcelona are his biggest suitors as they search for a long-term successor to Robert Lewandowski. But sources have exclusively revealed to Football Insider that Haaland remains keen to stay at City until at least 2029, when his release clause is activated. The outcome of the club's 115 charges for breaches of the Premier League's financial rules could change the situation, after reports on Friday stated that the Premier League are confident of City being punished.

For now, Maresca is content. Winning 5-3 is not the same as winning 1-0, but it is still winning.