The fixture marks the first league meeting between the clubs since March 2015 without either managerial giant in the dugout. Maresca, barely settled into the job, faces the sternest test of his early reign. Anfield has been a graveyard for many a title challenge, and this City squad is still finding its feet under a new boss. The international break offered a brief pause, but the real work resumes on Merseyside.

International Round-Up: Haaland Tired, Cherki Sharp

Erling Haaland scored three goals for Norway during the break, but his withdrawal against Portugal was later attributed to tiredness rather than injury. That will come as a relief to City's medical staff, though the striker's workload remains a talking point. He is contracted to the club until 2034, and there is no indication City intend to sell him — a statement that feels almost redundant given his importance.

Rayan Cherki, meanwhile, registered an assist for France, adding to a season that has already yielded six goal contributions in eight appearances. His form has reportedly caught the eye of Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain, who are monitoring his situation in case he becomes available. The key word is 'if'. Cherki is not currently on the market, no bid or formal approach has been reported, and his contract runs until 2030. City have given no indication they would entertain offers.

Elsewhere, Elliot Anderson and Marc Guehi both started England's 3-0 win over Czechia, playing 63 minutes before being replaced. Anderson was involved in the move for Harry Kane's opening goal, playing the ball to Morgan Rogers, who provided the assist. Guehi helped England keep another clean sheet. Rico Lewis, promoted from the Under-21 squad after Nico O'Reilly's withdrawal, was an unused substitute. Antoine Semenyo and O'Reilly returned early with fitness concerns, while Iliman Ndiaye found the net for Senegal.

Off-Field Noise: Verdict Fallout and Soriano's Fight

The international break also brought a fresh wave of off-field chatter. The Telegraph reported that Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham were informed of City's guilty verdict before the rest of the Premier League, owing to legal notices that preserved their right to seek potential compensation. Those notices, however, preserved positions rather than establishing a right to damages. It is a subtle distinction, but an important one.

Daniel Taylor wrote that Ferran Soriano is fighting for his future and reputation following the verdict, with questions raised about his position should City's appeal fail. There is no suggestion City have decided to remove their long-serving chief executive. Soriano has told club employees he believes City will ultimately be vindicated.

On the penalty front, talkSPORT presenter Alan Brazil claimed he had heard City could face a 60-point deduction, attributing the figure to unnamed sources in Manchester. There has been no official confirmation that such a penalty has been proposed or decided. It is worth treating with the usual caution.

talkSPORT's Andy Brassell offered a more speculative take, suggesting Haaland could play alongside Harry Kane at Bayern Munich if the Norway striker ever became available, and that Real Madrid would also pursue him in those circumstances. Again, there is no indication City intend to sell. The 60-point claim and the transfer chatter will fade. The trip to Anfield will not.

Manchester City's players have spent the past ten days doing something they rarely do: asking questions they can't answer. According to a detailed report from MailSport's Jack Gaughan, some members of the first-team squad have been in regular contact with their representatives, posing what are described as 'often unanswerable questions'. The cause, of course, is the independent commission's findings into the 115 charges — findings that landed three weeks ago and confirmed City had been found guilty of almost all of them.

The Premier League's statement pointed to artificially inflated commercial revenues between 2009 and 2018, with figures in the region of £830 million mentioned. City have insisted on their innocence throughout and lodged a 'comprehensive appeal' almost immediately.

For the players, though, the appeal is a legal process. The uncertainty is personal.

Sources close to the squad suggest no two people are digesting the situation in the same way. Some are defiant — talking about winning the Premier League title, with no thoughts of bailing out. Others are described as 'more nervous'.

Agents, inevitably, have been discussing 'just cause' provisions in contracts — the options held by both club and player — and whether a punishment severe enough to mean relegation might give grounds to 'rip up' deals. For now, representatives are stressing a 'wait-and-see' approach ahead of the appeal.

City's response has been led by CEO Ferran Soriano, who told staff in a video message that the "whole Premier League case against us is based on a single false accusation". He added that "irrefutable evidence has been provided to the Premier League commission that shows it could not happen and that it did not happen".

Maresca Relaxed as Anfield Looms

Enzo Maresca, meanwhile, is cutting a 'relaxed figure' around Cheshire, according to those who know him. The City manager is said to have remarked, with a smile, that "All I can do is the football."

That approach will be tested on Sunday when City travel to Anfield. The first-team squad are expected back in training on Thursday, with Maresca set to address the group as a collective from the City Football Academy.

Merseyside Police are insisting on an "appropriate" strategy for the welcome of Maresca's side and the team coach, with Liverpool fans organising a 'Bus Greeting' on social media two hours before kick-off.

For City, the football provides a distraction. Whether it provides answers is another matter.

Rayan Cherki is not for sale. That is the starting point for any conversation about the Manchester City playmaker, who continues to attract admiring glances from some of Europe's heavyweight clubs.

Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain are keeping tabs on the 23-year-old, according to reports. PSG are understood to be monitoring him closely and would be ready to make a move if he became available at a price they deem workable — whether in January or next summer. Liverpool, for their part, are credited with an interest. Chelsea and Real Madrid have previously been linked with the attacking midfielder, though neither has followed up with anything concrete.

The noise is unsurprising. Since arriving from Lyon in 2025 for €42.5m, Cherki has developed into a key figure at the Etihad. His first season produced 25 goal contributions, and he has already registered six from eight appearances this term. That kind of output draws attention, and City are well aware of it.

What they are not doing, however, is entertaining offers. Cherki's contract runs until 2030, leaving the club in a position of strength. There is no indication from within the Etihad that they intend to sell, and no bid or formal approach from Liverpool or PSG has been reported.

That is not to say the situation is entirely without background noise. Uncertainty continues to linger around the club as they await a sanction relating to their Premier League case — though none has yet been announced. Rival clubs may be watching that space, wondering if opportunity knocks. For now, it does not.

Cherki remains a City player on a long-term deal, and the message from the club is clear: he is not on the market.

A Bayern return on the cards?

talkSPORT's Andy Brassell believes Bayern Munich could revisit their interest in Haaland, pointing to the German champions' previous attempt to sign him.

"They were prepared, Bayern, to put it all in for Erling Haaland," Brassell said.

Haaland is tied to City until 2034 after signing his extraordinary long-term contract in January 2025. There is no suggestion the club are looking to sell him. But Brassell argued that if circumstances ever changed, Bayern and Real Madrid would be the two clubs worth watching.

Kane's evolving role

The presence of Kane at the Allianz Arena might appear an obstacle to any Haaland move. Brassell doesn't see it that way.

He suggested Kane's evolving game could eventually allow the England captain to operate deeper, leaving Haaland as Bayern's principal goalscorer. The arrangement, he added, could resemble the roles previously occupied by Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski in Munich.

"I don't think that is a mad idea at all, because we know that Haaland will always be a pure goal scorer," Brassell said.

Real Madrid lurking

Real Madrid have long been associated with the striker, and Brassell is adamant the Spanish giants would make room for him if he reached the market.

"If Haaland is on the open market, they will definitely be going in for him," he said.

For now, Haaland remains a City player, and the club have shown no inclination to change that. But in football, circumstances can shift quickly. And if they ever do, the queue for his signature will be long.

Iliman Ndiaye returned from a two-match suspension to score the winning goal in Senegal's 1-0 victory over Comoros on Sunday. The Manchester City forward struck in the fifth minute, slotting into an empty net after a rapid counter-attack.

The 26-year-old, who joined City from Everton this summer for £60 million, had missed Senegal's earlier AFCON qualifying fixtures against Mozambique and Ethiopia through suspension. His return was timely, and the goal was his sixth for his country.

Head coach Patrick Vieira named a heavily rotated side, but Ndiaye's early impact settled the contest. Pape Mate Sarr initiated the move, driving forward before Ibrahim Mbaye picked out Ndiaye's run. The winger still had work to do, but he finished calmly for his sixth international goal.

Ndiaye had a chance to double his tally in the 66th minute when Bara Sapoko Ndiaye found him unmarked inside the box with an inviting cross. He couldn't convert, but the evening belonged to him. It was his first homecoming in Marseille since leaving the club in 2024, and he marked it in style.

City's Need for Goals

Since completing his big-money move to the Etihad, Ndiaye has registered just one assist in seven appearances. That return is modest for a player of his pedigree, and City will hope the international break has sharpened his edge. His best figures in a single club season remain the 15 goals he scored for Sheffield United in 2022-23.

Enzo Maresca's side now face a punishing schedule: nine games in just 27 days. The manager will need his attacking players fit and firing, and Ndiaye's confidence boost comes at an opportune moment. If he can carry his Senegal form into club colours, City's attacking options look far more potent.

Elliot Anderson and Marc Guehi both played 63 minutes before being replaced together, with the game already won. Anderson, in particular, caught the eye with an excellent ball over the Czech defence to release Morgan Rogers, whose cross led to Harry Kane's first goal. Guehi started at centre-back alongside Jarell Quansah and helped keep the visitors at bay — Czechia failed to register a single shot on target all evening.

Kane took the headlines with a brace on his record-equalling 125th appearance, while Vladimir Coufal's own goal had put England ahead. Anderson lined up in midfield alongside Jude Bellingham and Myles Lewis-Skelly, and his passing range was on full display.

Rico Lewis, a late call-up after Nico O'Reilly's withdrawal, remained among the substitutes and was unused. The City academy graduate was promoted from the England Under-21 set-up, a move confirmed by City ahead of the game.

With Anderson and Guehi withdrawn in the 63rd minute, James Garner and Jarrad Branthwaite came on. England saw out the win comfortably, and City's contingent will return to club duty with minutes in the tank.

Shaun Wright-Phillips has seen Manchester City from every angle. Two spells, 217 outings, a front-row seat for the club's transformation. Now 44, he's back on primetime television as a Strictly Come Dancing contestant, but he still keeps a close eye on the Etihad.

And what he sees under Enzo Maresca is a squad so deep that even the most established names cannot take a starting spot for granted.

"In my eyes Mourinho was the first person that started with this squad rotation," Wright-Phillips said, casting his mind back across an 18-year professional career. The implication is clear: what was once a novelty is now standard practice, and City are perhaps the ultimate exponents.

Maresca, Pep Guardiola's managerial successor at the Etihad Stadium, has overseen an unrelenting start to the 2026/27 season. Seven consecutive wins, including a mammoth derby day victory over Manchester United despite being a man down. The juggling act is constant.

The summer acquisition of Allan Elias from Palmeiras and the deadline day arrival of Iliman Ndiaye added further options. Antoine Semenyo has started each of City's first five Premier League matches, scoring twice in a home clash against Sunderland. Jeremy Doku, recovered from a calf injury in the Community Shield loss to Arsenal in August, is returning to the fold. Phil Foden, the academy product who remains suspended following his kick out on Bruno Fernandes in the Manchester derby, is another reminder that no place is safe.

Rodri's replacement with a £320 million-plus trio – Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernandez and Ayyoub Bouaddi – shows the club's willingness to refresh even in key areas. The challenge for Maresca is keeping everyone happy.

City's upcoming trip to Liverpool, where Andoni Iraola's side await, will test that depth. Erling Haaland is not expected to miss out, but Semenyo and Nico O'Reilly remain doubtful through respective injuries. Foden's absence is a further wrinkle.

Off the pitch, the club continue to fiercely deny the findings and nature of the decision after an independent commission declared them guilty of breaching the Premier League's financial rules on 114 counts between 2009-18. A formal appeal has been filed.

Wright-Phillips knows all about fighting for a place. His message is simple: the modern game demands it, and City are living it every week.

A Long-Term Target

City's interest in Pavlović was not a fleeting summer fancy. As far back as spring, the club identified the 22-year-old as the linchpin of their plans. Director of Football Hugo Viana reportedly phoned the player's representatives several times, and City were willing to go to €100 million to get a deal done.

That figure was made clear to Bayern Munich. But Pavlović, a graduate of Bayern's academy, had other ideas. "I'm Bavarian, I'm from Munich and I want to stay at Bayern," he said, effectively ending City's pursuit.

At that point, City's order of preference had Pavlović above Enzo Fernández, who was still on Chelsea's books. The German international was seen as the future, the man to build around.

The Alternative That Cost a Record Fee

With Pavlović off the table, City switched attention to Fernández. They prized him out of Chelsea for a club-record £125 million, a fee that dwarfed the €100 million they were prepared to spend on Pavlović.

Fernández arrived with a strong Premier League pedigree. Last season, he racked up 10 goals and four assists in 36 league outings for Chelsea, numbers that underlined his attacking threat from midfield.

Yet it is easy to forget that the Argentine only made his debut a month ago. The midfielder is still settling into Enzo Maresca's side, and the early signs have been promising, but the shadow of what might have been lingers.

City's move for Fernández was not their first choice. It was a reaction to missing out on a player they had courted for months. The club's hierarchy, led by Viana, had done everything to convince Pavlović, but the pull of home proved too strong.

Now, with Rodri's £65.4 million move to Barcelona in the books, City's midfield is in transition. Fernández is the man tasked with filling the void, but the road not taken will always be a talking point.

For City fans, the hope is that Fernández can justify his record fee and make the Pavlović saga a distant memory. But for now, the question remains: what if?

Manchester City were ready to spend up to €100m on Bayern Munich's Aleksandar Pavlovic. The 22-year-old said no. That's the short version of a transfer pursuit that ran for months without ever reaching the negotiating table.

The detail comes from Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, who reports that City's interest stretched back to March. Talks were held. A fee was floated. Bayern were told City would go as high as €100m. And then nothing. No formal negotiations between the clubs. No deal. Pavlovic stayed put.

A Long Pursuit

This wasn't a fleeting enquiry. City had been pushing to sign the Germany international since March, with concrete talks over a possible move. Plettenberg says Bayern were informed of City's willingness to commit a significant fee. The figure — €100m — would have represented a serious outlay for a 22-year-old with his best years ahead of him.

Pavlovic was flattered. He considered it. For a player at Bayern, with the Bundesliga title a given and the Champions League a permanent fixture, the Etihad offers a different challenge. But the pull of Munich held firm. He decided against leaving.

What makes the timing interesting is that City identified Pavlovic as a major midfield target well before their subsequent moves for Ayyoub Bouaddi and Enzo Fernandez. Enzo Maresca's squad was still taking shape. The midfield was being rebuilt. Pavlovic was apparently part of that plan months before the pieces fell into place elsewhere.

No Regrets, No Return

By the time the window closed, Pavlovic remained in Munich and City had turned elsewhere. Plettenberg's account doesn't suggest City have revived their interest or intend to return for the player. The chapter appears closed.

For City, it's a reminder that even a €100m offer doesn't guarantee a signature. For Pavlovic, it's a decision he'll live with. For everyone else, it's another window where the money was there but the player wasn't.

Manchester City are keeping tabs on Barcelona defender Jules Kounde, according to reports in the Catalan media. The France international has found minutes hard to come by this season.

Kounde has started just one league game under head coach Hansi Flick, who has preferred Eric Garcia for the majority of fixtures. That lack of action has alerted several English clubs, with City among the interested parties.

Sport reports that it would take a very high offer to tempt the La Liga champions into selling. Barcelona are not actively looking to offload the 27-year-old, who still has just under four years left on his contract.

Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United are also believed to be monitoring the situation. That is a lot of heavyweight attention for a player who cannot get a game.

Kounde is said to be remaining patient as he tries to win his place back from Garcia. If his minutes do not increase, there is a chance he may look to force a move in the New Year.

For City, the appeal is obvious. Right-back has been a problem position since Kyle Walker's departure. Matheus Nunes has held down the role since Enzo Maresca's appointment, but the Portuguese international has never been viewed as a long-term fix.

Kounde began his career as a centre-back, though most of his Barcelona appearances have come at right-back. That versatility would tick a box for a squad that has lacked a settled option in that area.

Whether City firm up their interest remains to be seen. For now, they are one of several clubs watching a situation that could develop quickly if Kounde's game time does not improve.

City were found guilty on 114 of the 115 charges brought by the Premier League. The club disputes those findings and has signalled its intention to appeal. Maresca has kept matters away from the pitch separate from his work with the team since taking over from Pep Guardiola in the summer, but the return of the international contingent offers the first real chance to speak to most of his players together.

Thursday's session will be the first time the majority of those who have been away with their countries are back at the CFA. That timing gives Maresca a narrow window before Sunday's trip to Anfield to face Liverpool, a fixture that would test any squad's focus at the best of times.

There is at least one piece of good news on the fitness front. The Times reports no concerns over Erling Haaland after the striker was substituted during Norway's Nations League game against Portugal. Norway manager Stale Solbakken said afterwards that Haaland was exhausted rather than injured — a distinction that will matter more than most to a side preparing for Anfield.

Whether the verdict talks prove a distraction or a galvanising force remains to be seen. For now, Maresca's immediate task is straightforward: get his players in a room, say what needs saying, and turn their attention to Liverpool.

Iliman Ndiaye has only just arrived at the Etihad, but the Senegal winger is already talking about a return to the club where it all began. In an interview with French outlet La Provence, the £60 million summer deadline day capture from Everton admitted he is open to the idea of representing Olympique Marseille for a third time.

It is a rare note of sentiment from a player who has spent his career moving on. Born in Rouen, Normandy, Ndiaye relocated to the south of France as a child and came through Marseille's youth ranks before heading to Sheffield United for his first taste of Premier League football. A move back to Marseille followed in 2023, though it lasted only a single season before he left for Goodison Park.

"The shouts from Marseille supporters asking me to come back? It is nice to hear," Ndiaye said. "I don't think that the story is finished, but we will see. I'm just saying, I never know where it'll lead me, but we'll see anyway."

At 26, Ndiaye has already packed a lot into his career. It was at Everton that he hit his highest level to date, form that convinced City to sign him on a deal until June 2031. The move to Manchester represents a significant step up, and the club's supporters will hope his focus remains fixed on the present rather than the pull of old flames in Ligue 1.

Ndiaye's comments are unlikely to cause panic behind the scenes. Players speak warmly about former clubs all the time, and there is no suggestion he is angling for an exit just weeks after arriving. Still, the candour is notable. Most new signings trot out the usual lines about ambition and project; Ndiaye, by contrast, is happy to admit he does not know where his career will take him next.

City, for their part, have rather more immediate concerns. The club were found guilty of serious financial breaches within Premier League rules spanning nine seasons and judged to have inflated revenues by more than £900 million through 'sham' arrangements. They face the threat of a heavy points deduction or worse, and have swiftly launched an appeal against the independent commission's decision and verdict. City continue to insist publicly that 'irrefutable evidence' exists to clear their name.

In that context, Ndiaye's reflective tone might be the least of the club's worries. Former manager Pep Guardiola is considering a return to the Etihad Stadium as a showing of support for his previous club in light of the guilty verdict — a gesture that will carry weight with a fanbase still processing the commission's findings.

Whether Ndiaye's Marseille reunion ever materialises is a question for another day. For now, he is a City player, and the Blues have a season to navigate. The winger's words suggest he will not be rushed into anything. "We'll see anyway," he said. It is hardly a rallying cry, but it is honest enough.

Manchester City's decision to send Pierce Charles on loan to QPR for the 2026-27 season is already looking like a smart piece of business. The young goalkeeper, signed from Sheffield Wednesday in the summer, has impressed in the Championship and is fast becoming one of the top keepers in the division. His confidence is growing with every game, and the early signs suggest City may have a real prospect on their hands.

International recognition

Charles' form for QPR earned him a call-up to the Northern Ireland squad for their four matches over the international break. He grabbed the opportunity with both hands, keeping four clean sheets in four games. Northern Ireland may not be a footballing powerhouse, but four shutouts in four starts is a notable achievement for any goalkeeper, let alone a young one finding his feet in senior football.

His performance against Georgia in a 1-0 win was particularly impressive. Charles made four saves, including a crucial penalty stop, to preserve his clean sheet. That save allowed Shea Charles to score a late winner at the other end. It was the kind of match-winning contribution that catches the eye.

The possession factor

What sets Charles apart is his ability with the ball at his feet. He has the potential to be an elite keeper in possession, a trait that has stood out throughout his young career. It was impossible to ignore during each of his four Northern Ireland appearances. In the modern game, where goalkeepers are expected to start attacks, that quality is invaluable.

City have a clear philosophy when sending young players out on loan: develop their game with an eye on one day becoming a first-team player. Charles is laying the groundwork for exactly that. He has the talent in goal and the composure in possession to suggest he could eventually challenge for a spot at the Etihad.

A long way to go

Of course, there is a long way to go. Charles is still young, and the Championship is a different beast to the Premier League. But the early evidence is promising. He commanded his area superbly across the four international matches, and when called upon, he made every save he needed to make. Those are the hallmarks of a goalkeeper with a bright future.

For now, the focus will be on continuing his development at QPR. If he keeps performing like this, City's goalkeeping department could have a welcome problem on its hands in the years to come.

The 16-year-old midfielder is London-born and joined City from West Ham in 2024. Last season he established himself in the Under-18 side, contributing six goals and seven assists from 21 appearances according to the club's own records. The academy won the Under-18 Premier League North title and the FA Youth Cup during that campaign.

His form earned him a spot on Enzo Maresca's first-team tour of Asia in the summer, where he was the youngest member of the travelling squad. City describe Parker as an attack-minded midfielder capable of operating as a number eight or 10, and he has also been used further forward.

Parker announced himself in the EFL Trophy in August, scoring twice in a 4-1 victory over Mansfield Town. Both goals came inside five first-half minutes on his debut in the competition. He also found the net in City's opening Premier League 2 win over Wolves.

The recognition from The Guardian follows a steady climb through the youth ranks since his move from West Ham. For a club with City's resources, producing homegrown talent remains a point of pride, and Parker's inclusion on the list puts him alongside the country's most promising young players.

Manchester City expect Erling Haaland to be available for Sunday's trip to Liverpool after the striker's early exit in Norway's 2-1 defeat to Portugal was put down to fatigue rather than injury.

Haaland came off after 67 minutes in the UEFA Nations League fixture, having asked to be replaced. Jørgen Strand Larsen took his place. The sight of the forward limping and requesting a change left some doubt over his availability for the match at Anfield.

That doubt has now been eased. Paul Hirst of The Times has reported that Haaland was suffering from nothing more than tiredness and is not carrying an injury. He is likely to be fit and available as normal against Liverpool.

Norway manager Ståle Solbakken said Haaland was among a group of players who left the camp straight after the Portugal defeat, telling reporters they flew off in "a plane you and I can't afford".

City return to action on Sunday against Andoni Iraola's Liverpool at Anfield. It is their first match since an independent commission declared the club guilty of breaching the Premier League's financial rules on 114 counts between 2009-18.

City have vehemently denied the verdict and filed a formal appeal. Proceedings are set to commence in the next month before possible sanctions will be decided.

Seven From Seven as Maresca Finds His Feet

On the pitch, Enzo Maresca's side are seven wins from seven in all competitions since August's 3-0 Community Shield defeat to Arsenal in Wales. They have won their first five Premier League games of the 2026/27 campaign.

City went into the international break on the back of a 5-3 win over Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium. A new-look midfield has impressed in the early weeks of Maresca's tenure.

Enzo Fernandez, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Elliot Anderson were brought in during the summer to remake the middle of the park. Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders moved on. The incoming trio cost north of £320 million.

Officials at the Etihad Stadium will be pleased with how Maresca and his staff have handled life after Pep Guardiola, who left his role in May following a decade of success in England.

Maresca is set to speak to his squad for the first time since the guilty verdict on Thursday. He was recently seen arriving at the City Football Academy for the first time since the September 29 verdict.

The Italian will hold his pre-match press conference on Friday. Matters on the pitch are not expected to dominate the agenda.

The verdict has darkened the mood around the Etihad Stadium. Sunday will show whether it has reached the pitch.

Blame Flows Downhill at the Etihad

City's manager has fronted up while others have stayed quiet. Maresca has faced the cameras, absorbed the scrutiny and carried the weight of a club that suddenly looks uncertain of its own direction. Meanwhile, Khaldoon Al Mubarak has not broken his silence. Nor has Ferran Soriano. For a pair so comfortable speaking when trophies are being lifted, the silence has been deafening.

It is not the manager who should be answering the awkward questions. He did not design the structure. He did not set the strategy. He inherited a squad and a situation, and he has been left to explain it.

There is a growing sense that Maresca is owed an apology rather than another round of briefings against him. The alternative — allowing him to stand alone while the hierarchy watches from a distance — is the kind of behaviour that quietly corrodes a football club from the inside.

What the Silence Says

Al Mubarak and Soriano have built a reputation on control. They speak when it suits them, and they say exactly what they want to say. The problem with that approach is that it only works when things are going well. When they are not, the absence of a voice from above becomes a statement in itself.

Supporters are not stupid. They can see who is taking the heat and who is avoiding it. The manager has been left to absorb the criticism while the men who appointed him offer nothing. It is a familiar pattern at clubs where the executive floor is insulated from the weather on the pitch.

None of this is to pretend Maresca has been flawless. No manager is. But the imbalance in how responsibility is being shared — or not shared — is impossible to ignore.

A Club That Used to Speak as One

City have spent years presenting a united front. That front has cracked. The people at the top have gone quiet at precisely the moment their manager needed them to speak. It is not a good look, and it is not a coincidence.

What happens next matters more than any statement. If the hierarchy continues to leave Maresca exposed, the message to the dressing room and the stands is clear: when it goes wrong, the manager is on his own.

Maresca deserves better than that. He deserves an apology, and he deserves the people who hired him to stand beside him rather than behind him.

Dodged a bullet, but the warning stands

City have avoided the injury that would have wrecked the opening weeks of the campaign. That much is clear. Haaland is not facing a spell on the sidelines. But the striker is fatigued, and Norway manager Ståle Solbakken made no attempt to dress it up.

Solbakken explained that the plan had been for Haaland to play 60 minutes against Portugal. He got them. "Today he played 60 good minutes, he played twice 90 minutes against Denmark and Portugal (first match)," Solbakken said. The manager added that Haaland was tired against Wales.

That is the part that matters for City. A player who has been asked to carry a heavy load for club and country is now showing the signs. And the calendar is not helping. It's only early in the 2026-27 season, yet the 2026 FIFA World Cup already sits in the recent past. Haaland, like many of his international teammates, had a busy summer. Solbakken said they had a heart-to-heart talk yesterday. He also said Haaland could have played the last 45 minutes against Portugal, but that the player has very bad vibes and feelings about it. He has experienced being put in the league cup, Solbakken added. Even so, the Norway manager was keen to stress the positive. "I'm very happy that he managed to dig out 60 good minutes."

It wasn't just Haaland who left the stadium early, either. Solbakken told the media that Haaland and several of his Norwegian teammates departed for a short period of rest. "It wasn't just Haaland who left early," he said. "There's a whole bunch of people leaving now."

The wider picture is a fixture list that has been squeezed dry. Norway's players, according to their manager, are fatigued after having no time off following last summer's World Cup. "They need a breather," Solbakken said. "They have been given a few days off from their club." He added that when players have the chance to book a private plane, he understands them taking it with two or three days off. "You have to remember that the teams that went far in the World Cup have many players who have had minimal vacation," he said. "Then it's right to the start of the series and then a mini-tournament. It's an extreme strain."

So City have a decision to make. Haaland is one of the most important players at the club, and the workload from this point onwards will have to be managed. He cannot play every minute of every match. Maresca and the fitness staff will need a plan to handle his fatigue. For now, the bullet has been dodged. The lesson has not.

Enzo Maresca has made an impressive start to life as Manchester City manager. Seven consecutive wins in all competitions. The FA Cup and Carabao Cup sit in the trophy cabinet. On the pitch, the transition from one era to another has been smooth.

Off it, the mood has shifted. City were found guilty of almost all of the charges brought against them for breaching the Premier League's financial rules from 2009-2018. The club have lodged an appeal. The verdict landed while the majority of the squad were away on international duty, meaning they haven't come together as a group since the news broke.

That changes on Thursday.

A Squad Meeting With Unavoidable Questions

Jack Gaughan has reported for the Daily Mail that Maresca will address his squad on Thursday following the events of the past week and a half. It will be the first time the entire group has been in the same room since the independent commission's decision was made public.

The 115 situation is out of the control of the players and staff. That much is clear. What Maresca can control is how his squad processes it, how they train, how they play. The seven straight wins suggest they have handled disruption well so far. This is different.

In every interview and press conference that Maresca and his players do from this point, they will be asked about the 115 verdict and case.

That is the reality. Every pre-match press conference, every post-match interview, every tunnel walk. The questions will come. Maresca's job on Thursday is to make sure the answers, or the refusals to answer, don't derail what has been a promising start.

Thursday's meeting won't make the appeal go away. It won't silence the noise. But it will give the squad a chance to hear from their manager directly, away from the cameras and the microphones.

For a manager who didn't ask to be in this situation, it is the most important team talk of his tenure so far.

Germany Call Comes After City Breakthrough

Samba was picked by Germany for a six-nation tournament in Spain. The call arrived shortly after he made his first-team breakthrough at City.

He had already played youth international football for England and France. Now Germany have had a look at him too.

The midfielder made his Germany U19 debut against Ukraine on 27 September. He started and played 53 minutes of a goalless draw.

He started again later in the tournament as Germany finished unbeaten with a 1-1 draw against Czechia.

Two Goals on City Debut

That international fortnight followed a senior debut that could hardly have gone better. Samba scored twice as Enzo Maresca's side beat Norwich City 5-0 in the EFL Cup on 17 September.

He opened the scoring with a first-half header, then added his second after the break. A 17-year-old midfielder scoring twice on his first senior appearance is not a common sight at the Etihad, or anywhere else for that matter.

The goals were one thing. The timing was another. The Germany call came soon after, and Samba has now represented three countries at youth level before his 18th birthday.

Representing different countries at youth level does not necessarily determine which nation a player will eventually represent at senior level. Samba's long-term international future remains open.

For City, the immediate concern is simpler. A teenager who scores twice on his debut and then picks up minutes for a new country is moving quickly. The club will want to make sure the next few weeks are handled as carefully as the last few.

Erling Haaland asked to come off after 67 minutes as Norway lost 2-1 to Portugal on Sunday evening, and the sight of him limping drew the usual sharp intake of breath from anyone of a City persuasion. The striker's withdrawal was initially put down to a knock, but Norway manager Stale Solbakken later offered a far calmer explanation: Haaland was tired, and the substitution had effectively been planned for around the hour mark. City have yet to provide a formal medical update, so the wait continues. For a player who now has 65 goals in only 59 senior appearances for his country, three of them in the current window, a bit of fatigue is hardly a surprise. Whether that is all it is remains to be seen.

City's medical staff will no doubt be monitoring the situation closely, but Solbakken's words should ease the immediate panic.

FA considering next move

Elsewhere, the Football Association has confirmed it is considering the implications of the independent commission's decision and will take action where appropriate. No further charge or punishment has been announced. City, found guilty of 114 of the 115 Premier League charges brought against them, have appealed. The wider fallout has reportedly caused anxiety within Whitehall, with UK government sources acknowledging concerns given the scale of Britain's economic relationship with the United Arab Emirates. Former Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese defended Abu Dhabi's investment in Manchester, arguing the relationship has delivered significant benefits to the city.

Samba's rapid rise

Floyd Samba, the 17-year-old who scored twice on his City debut in the 5-0 Carabao Cup win over Norwich, has now represented Germany at Under-19 level after previously playing youth international football for England and France. His senior breakthrough has been remarkable, and the international switch adds another layer to his burgeoning reputation.

International round-up

Iliman Ndiaye scored a winner for Senegal, while Rayan Cherki and Gianluigi Donnarumma are both in Nations League action on Monday evening. France host Belgium and Italy face Turkey, with both matches kicking off at 7.45pm BST.

Looking ahead

City travel to Liverpool on Sunday before facing Paris Saint-Germain three days later. A demanding week lies ahead, and Haaland's condition will be central to how it unfolds.

Guehi's night to remember

Marc Guehi started in defence and was arguably England's most assured performer. The 26-year-old completed 92 of 97 passes, made nine recoveries and blocked two Croatia shots. His most telling contribution came when he intercepted City teammate Josko Gvardiol and set in motion the move that ended with Harry Kane opening the scoring.

That moment summed up the night's contrasting fortunes for the two defenders.

Gvardiol's difficult evening

Gvardiol's attempt to play out from the back in the eighth minute was intercepted, leading directly to England's opening goal. It set the tone for a testing night against a rampant England side.

Anderson's mixed bag

Elliot Anderson was one of two central midfielders and produced five crosses, including the one that teed up Kane's second goal. He also combined neatly with Bukayo Saka to evade Gvardiol in the build-up to another chance. But there was a sloppy giveaway in the first half that nearly handed Croatia a goal, and another squandered ball that led to Kovacic's best chance of the game.

None of City's four players found the net, but the night belonged to England — and Guehi in particular.

France Host Belgium as Cherki Looks to Build on Assist

Cherki's France welcome Belgium to the Stade de France, a fixture that arrives just days after the two nations met in Brussels. On that occasion, Cherki provided an assist as France ran out 1-0 winners. The City midfielder has already made his mark during this international window, and another strong showing would do his club prospects no harm.

His involvement in France's goal against Italy – taking the short free-kick before Michael Olise put the hosts ahead – offered a reminder of the craft he brings. Alessandro Bastoni equalised for the visitors that night, but Cherki's contribution in the build-up was noted.

Donnarumma and Italy Seek Repeat Against Turkey

Donnarumma, meanwhile, is expected to line up for Italy as they host Turkey in Bologna. The goalkeeper completed the full 90 minutes of a 1-1 draw in Paris on Friday, a match in which both he and Cherki were involved. Italy's previous meeting with Turkey ended in a 4-1 victory in Bursa, their first win of the Nations League campaign, with Roberto Mancini's side looking to double up on Monday.

Both France and Italy are playing their fourth Nations League fixtures of the campaign, with two further group matches to come during the November international break. The scheduling leaves little room for recovery, and Maresca will be keeping a close eye on minutes managed.

Anfield Awaits

City return to Premier League action against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, and the hope will be that Cherki and Donnarumma come through their respective fixtures without any problems. Several of their City teammates still have international commitments on Tuesday, meaning the full squad will not be reassembled until later in the week.

For now, all eyes are on Monday night. Cherki and Donnarumma are the two senior players to watch, and their performances could set the tone for what promises to be a testing trip to Merseyside.

That is the nub of it, and it is enough to sharpen minds at the Etihad. City are said to be preparing for the possibility of a £169m double deal, with Haaland and a second unnamed player both potentially heading for the exit.

Barcelona's long game

Barcelona's interest is not new. The La Liga side have held a long-standing admiration for Haaland, and the player himself is understood to be keen on the idea. Whether they can fund a deal of that size is another matter entirely, but the lines of communication appear to be open.

City, for their part, are not sitting still. The club are said to be preparing for the possibility of losing the Norwegian, and a £169m double deal would represent a significant chunk of change even by modern standards.

There is no suggestion of a January move. The summer of 2027 is the timeframe being discussed, which gives everyone involved a considerable amount of time to plan — or to worry, depending on your perspective.

Haaland's future has been the subject of speculation almost since the day he arrived, and this latest development will do little to quieten it. For now, though, it remains just that: speculation, with a long lead time attached.

Pep Guardiola could be back at the Etihad Stadium sooner than anyone expected. The former City manager is reportedly keen to attend the Blues' next home match against PSG, according to a report from The Mirror's Jeremy Cross.

Guardiola has not been seen at a City game since stepping down at the end of last season, bringing an end to a decade of dominance that turned the club into his own. But that self-imposed exile may be about to end.

"His People"

Cross claims that Guardiola has told senior figures at the club that he wants to be with "his people" as soon as possible. It is a sentiment that will resonate with supporters who still hold the Catalan in the highest regard.

The timing of a possible return is significant. City are currently embroiled in a bitter dispute with the Premier League after being found guilty of significant breaches of financial rules between 2009 and 2018. The club have been defiant in their response and continue to fight to clear their name.

Guardiola's presence at the Etihad would be a timely show of solidarity. He posted on X on September 30, 2026, in the aftermath of the verdict, and his loyalty to the club has never been in question.

A Decade of Dominance

During his ten years in charge, Guardiola transformed City into the dominant force in English football. He is widely regarded as the club's greatest ever manager, and his farewell video last summer left no doubt about his emotional attachment.

"Manchester is my city," he said at the time. "City is my club."

Those words will be ringing in the ears of fans if he does make an appearance against the European champions. PSG are the visitors, and the occasion would be fitting for a man who has given so much to the club.

Whether Guardiola will be in the stands or simply in the building remains to be seen, but the prospect of his return is already generating excitement. For now, City fans can dare to dream of a reunion with the man who made them kings of England.

Vasco's U20 Star Attracting European Attention

City, Chelsea and Arsenal have all registered an interest in the teenager, according to reports. Sales is due to turn 17 in November and has already caught the eye of scouts across Europe.

The Brazilian has taken an unusual path to the centre of defence. He began as a striker, dropped back to left-back, and now operates in the middle. Left-footed and composed in possession, his profile explains why clubs abroad are circling.

Sales has spent much of this campaign with Vasco's U20 side, holding his own against older opponents, and helped the team win the Brazilian U20 title this year. He also lifted the U17 Copa do Brasil in 2025.

On the international stage, he has represented Brazil at youth level, lining up at the South American Championship. Next month's FIFA U17 World Cup is expected to provide another showcase.

Vasco have already turned down a €10 million (£8.7 million) offer for Sales, though the identity of the bidding club is unclear. He is under contract until the end of 2028, and the club's improved financial position means they no longer feel pressured to sell their best young players at the first sign of European interest.

City have recent form in beating Arsenal to young talent, having signed Jeremy Monga from Leicester City this summer.

Meanwhile, Enzo Maresca's side return to Premier League action against Liverpool at Anfield on October 11, three days before a home Champions League tie with Paris Saint-Germain.

The Manchester United legend wants City stripped of the 2011/12 Premier League title — and handed to United instead.

He made the case on Instagram in his own distinctive style. Ex-teammates, he said, keep talking about trophies being taken off City while quietly declining the medals themselves. He is not one of them.

'Keep hearing ex-teammates saying they want trophies taking (sic) off them but they don't want their medals...f*** that I'm a greedy b****** I want my medal.'

At least he's honest about the motive. Greedy, self-aware, and entirely upfront about wanting a piece of metal he didn't win on the pitch.

The record doesn't help him

Here's where it gets awkward. Wayne Rooney — Scholes' former teammate, a man who actually played in those derbies — has said United shouldn't be awarded the title for that season. Scholes disagrees with him.

Rooney is right. United didn't deserve to win it.

The two clubs finished level on 89 points. United lost both meetings with City that season. Across those two games, City scored seven goals and United scored one, including a 6-1 victory for City in the first meeting. United literally couldn't beat City in 2011/12.

That is not a title taken by administrative manoeuvre. That is a title decided by what happened when the two sides met.

Scholes, it should be noted, only played 16 matches in his final season — 2012/13, the year after the one in question. United haven't won the Premier League since. Since 2013/14 they have finished second twice and fifth or worse seven times.

Wanting a medal from a season you didn't win while your old club slides down the table is a choice.

Where the case actually stands

City were recently found guilty of financial fair play charges and of not helping with the investigation into them. The club is appealing. No punishment has yet been handed down.

One potential sanction would be for City to be stripped of the titles won between 2009 and 2018 — the years when the wrongdoing allegedly took place.

So Scholes is jumping ahead of the process. No punishment has been decided. City are contesting the findings. And the specific season he wants reassigned was settled by a 6-1 at Old Trafford and a season sweep for the Blues.

If the titles do get stripped, they won't be handed to the team that lost twice and scored once. That's not how any of this works.

Scholes can want his medal. Rooney, at least, understands why he shouldn't get one.

The Premier League made its announcement on Tuesday, and an independent commission delivered a guilty verdict. That single development has sent clubs across Europe scrambling, wondering whether unlikely opportunities might soon arise to sign players who would normally be out of reach.

Galatasaray and Real Madrid Lead the Queue

Galatasaray are among those taking a keen interest, according to reports from Fotomaç relayed by Turkish Football. The Süper Lig side has form for this kind of thing. Mohamed Salah, N'Golo Kante and Ederson have all turned up in Turkey in recent years, and Galatasaray currently count former City men Ilkay Gundogan and Leroy Sane among their squad, alongside Rafael Leao and Victor Osimhen. No formal negotiations have begun. This is window-shopping, not a bid.

Real Madrid's interest looks more structural. Thibaut Courtois edges toward his 35th birthday, and the task of replacing him is a genuine problem. Donnarumma, 27, with vast Champions League experience, fits the profile of a long-term solution.

He is also, by some distance, one of the more attractive names on any list. Some consider him the best active goalkeeper in the game. His shot-stopping has produced moments of genuine quality since he arrived. The criticism has been reserved for his distribution, most notably after a bad error in last season's 2-1 win over Arsenal.

Nothing Angling for the Exit

Donnarumma joined in the summer of 2025, a £26 million capture from Paris Saint-Germain, signed in somewhat surprising fashion to succeed Ederson. He has barely settled into the number one shirt, and there has been plenty of debate about whether he or the now-departed James Trafford suited Enzo Maresca's style better. None of that is driving the current chatter.

Nothing he has said or done suggests a player looking for a way out. He has dismissed the idea that City are in a transition season, insisting the club intend to compete for every trophy available.

The board, meanwhile, has reportedly made no internal decisions on player sales. Their attention is fixed on the appeal against the commission's ruling and the sanctions hearing still to come. That is where the real outcome will be decided, not in the rumour columns.

So the interest from abroad amounts to preparation for a scenario that may never arrive. Whether it becomes concrete has less to do with Donnarumma and more to do with how harshly his employers are punished. If sanctions bite and City are nudged towards selling, the market floods with talent that would ordinarily be untouchable. Donnarumma would be one name on a very long list.

For now, the queue outside the door says more about the uncertainty at the Etihad than it does about the goalkeeper himself.

Algeria's coaching staff want a formal apology — made publicly, through the media or his own channels — before the left-back pulls on the shirt again. Reports from Algeria, via Sport Witness, frame it as an absolute requirement rather than a courtesy. The aim is to settle the dressing room and make good on the disruption his behaviour is said to have caused.

The episode dates to last Friday, when Algeria faced Zambia. Manager Brahim Hemdani picked Brighton's Jaouen Hadjam at left-back, leaving Ait-Nouri on the bench. Hadjam scored the opener; Zambia equalised shortly before the hour. Hemdani had intended to bring Ait-Nouri on at that stage but shelved the plan after the goal. When Algeria went back in front soon after, the City defender is said to have refused to enter the pitch at all.

His annoyance had been obvious, according to accounts from the camp, with teammates and Hemdani attempting to settle him by the touchline. The fall-out is said to have frustrated players and staff. He left the camp soon after, a departure the national team confirmed. Reports suggest he asked to go, and only got his way after asking more than once.

Algerian outlets have not held back, placing the blame firmly on the 25-year-old. One report claims the decision to let him leave was approved at a meeting that also had the backing of federation president Walid Sadi. Another described him as looking withdrawn and sullen before a ball had even been kicked against Zambia. That is the picture painted back home, fair or not.

For City, the timing is awkward. Ait-Nouri is already scrapping for minutes at left-back, and his only start this season came in the 5-0 Carabao Cup third-round win over Norwich City, where he lasted the full 90 minutes. Outside that, his contribution amounts to one substitute appearance. A public apology may be the price of an Algeria return, but it will not solve the club problem.

Stefan Borson has spent enough time inside the Etihad's balance sheets to know where the bodies are buried — and, more to the point, where the money went. The former City financial adviser has a pointed observation for the clubs queuing up to demand the harshest possible sanction against his old employers.

An investigation found that City inflated their accounts by £900million. Across the period from 2009 to 2018, roughly £1.2billion went out of the club in transfer fees. Wolfsburg, Monaco and Arsenal topped the list of recipients. The deals included Kevin De Bruyne, Edin Dzeko, Bernardo Silva and Samir Nasri.

And the cash didn't stop there. Tottenham Hotspur, Everton, Barcelona and Real Madrid all saw money flow straight from the Etihad Stadium. A wide network of clubs, in other words, grew fat on City's spending.

Now many of those same clubs are lobbying for a major points deduction, transfer bans, or even relegation to League Two. Borson, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, sees an awkward contradiction at the heart of that campaign.

"There is one big issue that all these teams have got, Premier League as well as European clubs, in lobbying for a very severe punishment," he said.

"And that's them being taken out of the market effectively."

He's not mincing words about where the money travelled. "That money went across Europe, it went to Arsenal, it went to Liverpool, Germany, to teams in France," Borson said. "City's money has filtered through the entire game over the last decade."

The clubs around the world, he argues, "benefitted greatly" from the 10-time Premier League winners. "They've benefited greatly cash-wise from the investment that's been made."

Which brings us to the uncomfortable bit. "If City lose their appeal, the taps will be turned off," Borson said.

The short-term picture, according to Football Insider, is that a host of City players would suddenly become available at knock-down prices. Arsenal and Real Madrid have already made contact with Erling Haaland, while Mick Brown believes Marc Guehi could finally join Liverpool. Rayan Cherki, Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernandez and Gianluigi Donnarumma would have no shortage of suitors — nor would boyhood fan Phil Foden.

Cheap talent, then, for whoever moves fastest. But only in the short term. Once the Etihad chequebook is closed for good, the clubs who spent a decade dining out on City's money will have to find someone else to subsidise them. The taps, after all, run both ways.

City head to Merseyside on the back of seven straight wins in all competitions, five of them in the Premier League. The momentum is there. The squad depth, perhaps, is about to be tested.

O’Reilly had played the full 90 minutes in England’s 3-2 defeat to Spain earlier in the break, a Nations League fixture that preceded the Czechia game. He has made five appearances for City this season, but his campaign has already been disrupted once — a back injury sustained in the warm-up before the 1-0 win over Coventry City forced him out of two matches. Now another issue, still unspecified, has cut short his time with the national team.

Maresca will address the media next Friday, and that press conference will be the first proper opportunity to learn the severity of the problem. Until then, City are left to monitor a player who has shown promise but has yet to string together a run of games.

Anfield awaits. Seven wins on the spin is a fine run, but Liverpool away has a habit of finding out where a squad really stands. If O’Reilly is unavailable, someone else steps in. That is the nature of a long season.

Stefan Borson, a former financial adviser at Manchester City, has delivered a stark assessment of the club's position: relegation from the Premier League is now an inevitability. The only question is which division they fall into — and how much else comes with it.

City have lodged an appeal against the 114 charges the club was found guilty of, and the process is expected to run for a long time yet. Borson, who has followed the case closely from the start, believes the punishment will be severe.

"We're just not at that point yet. They're obviously going to be severe. We've spoken about it many times. From the very first day, I explained to people that the punishment would be severe and that City would be relegated."

He added: "I think people now maybe understand that and maybe didn't understand it when I said it. But it's just inevitable that one way or the other, there's going to be a relegation of some sort."

The appeal will determine the mechanism and any additional sanctions. Borson was clear on the scale of the setback: "But as we sit here right now, they couldn't have expected a worse outcome from this hearing."

League Two? Unlikely, but not impossible

Supporters across the Premier League have been baying for blood since the verdict, with suggestions ranging from points deductions and transfer bans to stripping titles. Some have floated expulsion to League Two — a move that would mirror the SPFL's decision to dump Rangers into the third division in 2012.

Borson can understand the uproar, but he thinks that particular punishment is a long shot. "Well, it's obviously pretty unlikely, but there's a storm at the moment and I think it's very hard to pick through what those sanctions might be," he said.

Even so, he refused to rule it out entirely. Expulsion to League Two is unlikely, but clearly not impossible.

If the club were relegated to League Two, especially with a multi-window transfer ban attached, they would essentially be forced to start over. That would mean leaning heavily on an academy that has already produced Phil Foden, Nico O'Reilly, James McAtee and Liam Delap.

Ryan McAidoo and Josh Wilson-Esbrand are currently pushing for senior involvement, while several others are catching the eye on loan. Jaden Heskey at Sheffield Wednesday, Jeremy Monga at Swansea City and Divine Mukasa at West Ham United would all make an impact at the Etihad if called upon.

It's a grim picture, and one that won't be resolved quickly. The appeal process is likely to drag on, leaving the club — and its supporters — in limbo.

Manchester City's transfer dealings between 2009/10 and 2017/18 went through 46 selling clubs in 19 different national league systems, according to a new BBC Sport analysis. The research puts the club's net spend across those nine seasons at around £900m.

Just over a quarter of that outlay went to other Premier League clubs. Arsenal were the most frequent supplier, selling City four players. The rest was scattered across Europe and beyond — eight separate deals with La Liga clubs, similar sums paid to Benfica and Porto, and around £13m handed to Championship sides for two players.

The figures exclude free transfers, loans and academy graduates, so they cover only senior moves. They also throw up some curious footnotes. Queens Park Rangers pocketed around £9m from a sell-on clause when Raheem Sterling joined from Liverpool in 2015. Barnsley received roughly £7m a year later after John Stones arrived from Everton.

Perhaps the most striking detail concerns Sporting. City made no senior signing from the Lisbon club during the period. Sporting, for their part, did not win the Portuguese title between 2009 and 2018. Whether that says more about City's scouting or Sporting's fortunes is a matter for the reader.

The BBC analysis lands in the middle of a far bigger story. The independent commission that found City guilty of serious breaches of Premier League financial rules concluded that, between 2009/10 and 2017/18, the club used arrangements which artificially inflated revenues and reduced costs by more than £900m. It found that the accounts did not accurately represent City's financial position, and that the club would have substantially breached Premier League and UEFA spending limits had those arrangements been reported accurately.

City have challenged those findings. The Premier League confirmed on 2 October that the club had formally lodged an appeal, which will be heard by an independent Appeal Board.

The transfer trail, meanwhile, tells its own story of what happened to some of the clubs who did business with City. Wolfsburg sold Kevin De Bruyne in 2015. They had finished second in the Bundesliga before his departure, dropped to eighth the following season and then narrowly avoided relegation in successive campaigns. Julian Draxler arrived for roughly half the De Bruyne fee; Dante came in from Bayern Munich. It didn't stop the slide.

Monaco are the other cautionary tale. They had won Ligue 1 and reached the Champions League semi-finals before selling Bernardo Silva and Benjamin Mendy to City in 2017. Within two seasons they were fighting relegation, having recruited the likes of Terence Kongolo and Keita Balde.

City's appeal now sits with the independent Appeal Board. Whatever the outcome, the BBC's numbers offer a reminder of just how far and wide the club's recruitment reached — 46 clubs, 19 leagues, and a net spend of around £900m across nine seasons.

It's a line that leaves little room for interpretation. City aren't accepting the outcome quietly, and the paperwork went in at 7PM on Thursday 1 October — a detail the club took the trouble to highlight.

The verdict itself landed on Tuesday, when the Premier League published its own statement confirming that City had been found guilty of all charges relating to breaches of financial regulations between 2009 and 2018. An independent panel found that the club had arranged "sham contracts" with commercial partners to disguise funding of more than £830 million. The Premier League claimed City had "systematically broke Premier League Rules for nearly a decade".

City's response has been robust. They say they have provided "a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence [that] exists in support of all of its positions". The appeal, described in the club's own statement as 'comprehensive', takes aim at what they characterise as the Premier League's 'opinion' as much as its verdict.

Guardiola breaks his silence

Against that backdrop, the most recognisable figure of the club's modern era has spoken. Pep Guardiola, who managed City for ten years and delivered the club's first Champions League trophy alongside four consecutive Premier League titles between 2021 and 2024, released a message on social media.

"I want every single Manchester City fan across the world to know I am here; more than ever."

He didn't stop there.

"I am, always have been, always will, be behind my club, my owner, my chairman [Khaldoon Al Mubarak], Ferran [Soriano], the players, staff, Enzo [Maresca] and you, our unique supporters."

And then the line that will be repeated most often:

"Let me be clear: we will get through this together. I love you all."

Guardiola had already shown his backing for the club in a message on social media in recent days. This latest statement goes considerably further.

The prospect of a return

Rumours have circulated that Guardiola is considering attending a match at the Etihad Stadium. According to City insider 'RealTolmie' on X, club sources have hinted that he is weighing up a return for their next home fixture, having reportedly told figures at the stadium that he 'wants to be with his people'.

Which match he might choose remains unclear. The immediate schedule offers a few candidates: after the international break, Enzo Maresca's side travel to Anfield to face Liverpool in the Premier League, before returning to the Etihad in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain. The next home league game comes after that, with newly-promoted Ipswich Town the visitors on Saturday 17 October.

Whether any of that materialises is another matter. For now, the rumour sits in the realm of the unconfirmed.

Soriano addresses staff

Away from the noise, City CEO Ferran Soriano has spoken directly to club staff, addressing them following the Premier League's publication of the commission's findings.

Reports have indicated that, as part of the appeal, the club are expected to claim that key sponsorship deals were funded by the Abu Dhabi government rather than the club's owners — a distinction that would form a central plank of their case.

The appeal is in. The arguments will follow.

Manchester City's plan to clear their name has been laid out in a new report, with the club set to confirm their appeal against the independent commission's verdict imminently.

According to Mike Keegan of the Daily Mail, City will argue that the sponsorship deals at the centre of the case were funded by the government of Abu Dhabi rather than the club's owners, Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG). The independent commission had ruled that ADUG made the payments, labelling them 'sham' contracts that saw over £900 million illegally pumped into City's accounts.

City's evidence, which was rejected by the commission, included bank statements and witness accounts. The club have always maintained they possess a body of 'irrefutable evidence' that would ultimately clear their name.

Keegan also reports that City's legal team will question the length of time the panel took to deliver its verdict. He writes: 'High-powered lawyers acting on behalf of the club are also likely to question the amount of time it took the panel to deliver its verdict, pointing out that in such cases judgments should be delivered within three months (rather than 20) of a hearing concluding, so that judges can properly remember evidence when crafting their judgment. As a result of the time elapsed, they will say the decision is 'unsafe'.'

City will also point to the fact they provided no fewer than 24 witnesses at the hearing, while the Premier League failed to provide anyone who confirmed the existence of the alleged conspiracy.

The confirmation of City's bid to appeal is expected today, marking the next stage in a saga that has dominated the week.

For supporters, the whirlwind of the past few days has been difficult to process. But as one fan writer put it, hope is not yet lost. The appeal is seismic and there is still plenty to play out.

City's owners have given fans memories that will last a lifetime and heavily invested in Manchester, uplifting the area around the Etihad Stadium. As for the success between 2009 and 2018 – the period covered by the Premier League's case – time will reveal whether it was legitimate or built on weak foundations.

There is a team on the pitch to support, too. City face Liverpool at Anfield next Sunday in a match that will likely have a fierce atmosphere given the rivalry and the events of this week. Enzo Maresca's side will need to block out the noise.

From here, the focus for many will be on official updates only – no conjecture, no rumours, no speculation. The appeal will take time, with more twists and turns almost certain. But the support for the club remains unconditional.

England manager Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that the fallout from Manchester City's Premier League charges has dominated conversation inside the national team camp. The German, preparing his side for tomorrow's Nations League meeting with Croatia, said the subject is unavoidable.

"We had some time off and time between the matches and it is a big subject. Everyone speaks about it so there is no other voice needed. I am glad to not be that voice. Nobody needs my half knowledge on it. The players are ready to go tomorrow. It’s what they show on the pitch and they show in camp. Its a big topic in camp."

Tuchel's comments come after news broke last week that City had been found guilty of the vast majority of the 115 charges brought against them for breaching the Premier League's financial rules. The verdict has sent shockwaves through English football, and it was always likely to seep into the international setup.

City's presence in the England squad ensures the topic is never far from the surface. Elliot Anderson and Marc Guehi are both with the Three Lions, though Nico O'Reilly has left the camp with an injury problem.

While Tuchel did his best to deflect attention, the timing of the international break means the club saga has been granted extra oxygen. City return to Premier League action next Sunday with a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool.

Focus shifts to Croatia

For Tuchel, the immediate priority is Croatia. The Nations League clash offers a chance to build momentum, but the manager was candid about the distraction.

"I am glad to not be that voice," he added, suggesting he has no intention of adding his own interpretation to a story that has already generated thousands of headlines.

City's players in the England camp will have to compartmentalise quickly. Anderson and Guehi are professionals, but the noise surrounding their club is not easily ignored.

O'Reilly's withdrawal is a blow for the player, who will now return to his club for assessment. The nature of the injury has not been disclosed.

For City fans, the international break has provided little respite. The charges verdict remains the dominant narrative, and Tuchel's admission confirms it is being discussed in dressing rooms far beyond the Etihad.

Liverpool away is next on the agenda. By then, the focus will shift back to matters on the pitch — at least for ninety minutes.

The Premier League confirmed the appeal on its official website, stating that the club had taken the matter to the Chair of the Judicial Panel. The independent Appeal Board hearing will be held in private, with details kept confidential until the outcome is published.

City's statement pulled no punches. "The Club's firm position is that, on multiple grounds, the opinion contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact and is unsafe," it read. The club added that a "comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions" and reiterated that it is "innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League."

The tone was respectful but resolute: "We will continue to respect due process and are necessarily restricted in what we can say further until all proceedings are complete." City also tweeted a simple message — "Manchester City lodge appeal" — with a link and image, a rare moment of public brevity in a saga that has rarely been short on words.

This is a fight City have not shied away from. Their position has not wavered since the Premier League's Tuesday announcement that the commission found them guilty on almost all charges. The club maintains its innocence and has dug in, unwilling to back down until their name is cleared.

There is a certain irony in the Premier League's confirmation. The league has promised confidentiality for the appeal hearing, yet the independent commission's findings were leaked prematurely before any official publication. You do wonder if this time the process will hold. It simply has to. There is no other alternative, irrespective of the public interest in the story.

For now, City wait. The appeal is lodged, the stance is unchanged, and the football world watches on.

Manchester City's owners still believe they have done nothing wrong. That conviction has not wavered, even as the Premier League's case against them grinds on. Stefan Borson, a former financial adviser at the club, told Football Insider that the men in charge are adamant about their innocence — and that certainty is driving their approach to the appeal.

"They believe they have done nothing wrong," Borson said of the ownership. "That does not match at all with the finding of the independent commission. And that is all that matters right now."

An independent board has already found City guilty, and the owners have pointed to what they call "irrefutable evidence" against the charges. Supporters across the Premier League are still waiting to see it. Many of them want City booted out of the division entirely because of the rule-breaking they believe has taken place.

Borson is clear that avoiding any punishment at this stage is extremely unlikely. He can't see a path to a complete escape. What he can envisage is City's legal team chipping away at the margins of the decision — picking at the edges, as he put it, rather than overturning the whole thing.

That would require the appeal board to spot something very clear: a misapplication of law, a misunderstanding of a statement or fact, or a faulty recollection of evidence. Borson rates those possibilities as very, very unlikely. But if they exist, City will find them.

Leading the appeal is Lord David Pannick KC, described by Bryan King as one of the best barristers in the country. Pannick played a key role in 2020 when City fought off a two-year ban from European competition. The Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned that ban on appeal. It is the kind of result the club will be hoping for again, though the current process is impossible to predict.

For supporters, the situation has split the room. Many are choosing to follow the owners, sticking with the people who have delivered so much success. Others are turning away and want a change of leadership instead. It is a messy situation, and there is no tidy resolution in sight.

City's owners continue to battle the charges, claiming innocence. Borson's assessment suggests that fight will be fought on narrow ground. The confidence is there. Whether it is justified is another matter entirely.

It is the first time Enzo Maresca's side will take the pitch since the verdict of the 115-case sparked an uproar that has reverberated around the football world. The match at Anfield, City's sixth league fixture of the campaign, now carries a weight far beyond the usual rivalry between the two clubs.

Gary Neville, speaking on The Overlap, painted a stark picture of what awaits. "If Manchester City want an understanding how angry the world of football is, then Anfield will tell them next week," he said. "In a way you would never believe. There will be banners, there will be chants, it will be a brutal day."

The players and staff will be the target for many. With the case still ongoing, the hostility is unlikely to be confined to the stands. For a squad that includes newcomers like Rayan Cherki, Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi, this will be an entirely new experience.

City's captaincy group – Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Marc Guehi – will be expected to lead the way. Dias, in particular, has the presence to be a figure of inspiration, while Donnarumma and Guehi have navigated difficult scenarios before. Haaland, a leader at the club, often cops it simply for being Haaland; he will be no stranger to the noise.

Enzo Fernandez, the Argentinian midfielder who is one of the most 'hated' players in football, is another who can play through it. But for the newer faces, Anfield will be a baptism by fire.

City are the villain of the piece in the eyes of many, and when domestic football returns next weekend, that will be on full display. The challenge for Maresca's men is to thrive in the inferno.

The Football Association has issued a 58-word statement that threatens Manchester City, according to reports. The statement comes amid ongoing speculation over Pep Guardiola's future.

Guardiola has been ruled out of the next job he was linked with, though the exact role remains unclear. The FA's warning adds another layer of uncertainty at the Etihad.

City fans have grown used to off-field noise, but this latest development is a fresh twist. The 58-word statement is terse, even by the FA's standards.

What it means for Guardiola and City is still to be determined. For now, the club and its supporters are left to parse the wording and wait for the next move.

Barcelona wanted Josko Gvardiol. That much is now on the record.

A report from Mundo Deportivo has confirmed the Catalan club's interest in Manchester City's Croatian defender, an ambition that surfaced during the summer window. City, for their part, had no intention of doing business. The same report states plainly that the club were not prepared to let an important player like Gvardiol go.

He stayed at the Etihad. That was that.

Why Barcelona Wanted Him

The logic from Catalonia is not difficult to follow. Gvardiol can play centre-back or left-back, a versatility that appeals to a club shopping in the market for a defender. Mundo Deportivo's report frames him as an ideal replacement for Alejandro Balde, who could be on his way out of the Nou Camp after falling out of favour.

Should that chain of events unfold, Balde himself could be one to watch for Premier League clubs in the near future. A neat little loop, that.

Gvardiol is 24. He joined City from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023. Since then, he has shown his quality and played a big part in the club's success on the pitch. A key player, by any measure.

Uncertainty at the Etihad

What happens next is less clear. In the wake of City being found guilty of so many major Premier League financial breaches, it is not out of the question that the club are soon handed a huge points deduction or perhaps even expulsion from the Premier League.

That verdict, delivered last week, has left a cloud over the club. Gvardiol will surely be one of a number of City stars wondering what the future holds at the moment.

He is not alone in that. Erling Haaland is apparently being monitored by Real Madrid and Barcelona, according to the Sun. When the vultures start circling, they rarely circle just one player.

For now, Gvardiol remains a City player. Whether that holds beyond the next transfer window is another matter entirely.

Ogunsuyi, who is just 14 years old, has already made an appearance for his new side — and it came against his former club. The young forward scored twice in a 5-1 victory over the Black Cats earlier this week.

The Sunderland Echo reports that Sunderland are still due compensation from the transfer because of Ogunsuyi's age, and the same outlet describes him as highly rated and one of the brightest prospects in the Black Cats academy.

His credentials support that billing. He won Sunderland's academy Player of the Season award in 2024/25, and became the club's youngest-ever player to turn out for the Under-18s at 13 years of age. He also featured in a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle back in March.

Liam is the younger brother of Trey Ogunsuyi, a striker who plays for Sunderland's Under 21s. That family connection adds a neat subplot to a deal that otherwise flies under the radar.

He is not the only youngster to have been snapped up by City. Mishel Ndika has arrived from Arsenal, and the young midfielder took to Instagram to share a photo of himself signing his contract. Jeremy Monga and Pierce Charles have also been secured, with both loaned out to Swansea City and Queens Park Rangers respectively.

At 14, Ogunsuyi is clearly one for the future. But scoring twice against your former club before the paperwork has even been announced? That's one way to make an early impression.

Manchester City are facing a nervous wait over two key players after Nico O'Reilly returned from international duty injured and Antoine Semenyo remained absent from training. With a crucial fixture against Liverpool just ten days away, head coach Enzo Maresca is set to provide further updates next week.

O'Reilly, the 21-year-old left-back, sustained his injury while representing England. He had played the full 90 minutes against Spain last week but was then left out of the matchday squad for the Nations League fixture against Czechia. England boss Thomas Tuchel initially described the issue as minor, but it was confirmed on Thursday afternoon that O'Reilly has returned to Manchester for treatment. He will miss England's remaining matches against Croatia on Saturday and the return fixture versus Czechia on Tuesday night. No expected return date has been set.

Meanwhile, Antoine Semenyo did not join up with Ghana for international duty due to an ankle problem. The 26-year-old had impressed in City's 5-3 win over Sunderland, scoring twice and providing an assist, and there was no sign of a knock as he completed the full 90+ minutes. Ghana FA president Kurt Okraku later said the forward had a swollen leg, and it was decided that Semenyo would be better off staying in England to undergo treatment and focus on his recovery. He has not been pictured back in training and is now a doubt for the Liverpool game.

City's medical staff will be working overtime to get both players fit, but with the Liverpool match still ten days away, there is time for assessments to be made. Maresca is expected to shed more light on the situation next week.

The incident in question arrived during that frantic second period, when the ball struck Sunderland's Elliot Anderson on the hand as he tussled with Enzo Le Fée inside the City area. Jones waved away the protests immediately. Michael Salisbury, on VAR duty at Stockley Park, saw no reason to intervene.

The panel agreed. By a three-to-two majority, it backed the original call. "The referee's call of no penalty for a potential handball offence against Anderson was supported, 3:2," the panel wrote. "Both players were engaged and the ball was bouncing at close proximity after deflecting off [Enzo] Le Fee."

Two panellists, though, felt there was a deliberate secondary movement of the arm from Anderson that constituted a handball offence. The panel comprises a trio of former players and coaches, one Premier League figure, and a refereeing-body representative, so split decisions are not unusual.

On the separate question of whether Salisbury should have got involved at all, the panel was more decisive. It voted four to one that the VAR had been right to leave the original call untouched. That is a stronger endorsement of the process than the handball verdict itself.

For City, the win sent them to the top of the league going into the extended international break. Enzo Maresca's side remain perfect in the Premier League. There is a long way to go, of course, but the early signs are encouraging.

Sunderland head coach Régis Le Bris might feel differently about the handball call, though he will have taken some encouragement from a spirited performance. Anderson, for his part, has been cleared of any wrongdoing and has enjoyed a fine start to the season.

City will now turn their attention to October's trip to Anfield. That is a fixture that tends to define seasons, and it will be a proper test of their credentials.