Seoul send-off leaves Marmoush's future hanging

Omar Marmoush spent the first half of Manchester City's final pre-season friendly doing precisely what he has been accused of in the past: drifting, failing to arrive in the right spots, watching Savinho and Antoine Semenyo do the hard work without reward. Then the second half arrived, and with it a reminder of what the Egyptian can offer.

Two goals, both fashioned by Semenyo's excellence, turned a 1-0 deficit into a 3-1 win over Atletico Madrid at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. The comeback was tidy enough. The aftermath, though, was rather more complicated.

Because while Marmoush was busy demonstrating he is more than a capable deputy for Erling Haaland, Enzo Maresca was busy telling anyone who would listen that the striker's future is not entirely in the club's hands.

"Players work every day, they want to play so when they don't play they are not happy. Omar did not play a lot last year so his desire is probably to play more minutes. It doesn't mean that he isn't going to play more minutes here but it's also his decision, and he needs to decide."

The manager's answer on whether Marmoush could leave before the window shuts was telling. He referenced the James Trafford situation, the subtext being that the decision rests with the player. If Marmoush wants to stay and fight for minutes, fine. If he wants to go, the club will not stand in his way.

The issue, as ever, is Haaland. The Norwegian's presence means Marmoush will always be the understudy rather than the lead. Maresca acknowledged that playing backup may not be what the 27-year-old wants at this stage of his career. That is not a criticism of Marmoush, merely a recognition of reality.

What complicates matters is that Marmoush does not sound like a man plotting an exit. After his brace, he spoke of being happy in his personal life and praised the service from Savinho and Semenyo. He did not give the impression of someone desperate to leave. Clubs are circling, of course. Mark Brus's Daily Briefing has Newcastle United considering a move, with a fee in the region of €60-65 million mentioned. Tottenham and Barcelona are also credited with an interest.

All of which leaves Maresca's system in an odd position. It creates chances from close range, the kind Marmoush thrived on in Seoul. Given the opportunity, he could profit regularly. But the opportunity will be limited while Haaland is fit and firing.

So the ball, as they say, is in Marmoush's court. He can accept the role of deputy, or he can seek the more regular football he clearly craves. His performance against Atletico suggested he is capable of more than being a bit-part player. Whether he gets the chance to prove it at City is, by the sound of it, down to him.

The next few weeks promise to be busy at the Etihad. Marmoush's future is just one of several subplots that will need resolving before the transfer window closes.