The German sportswear giant reportedly plans to theme the kit on a season that saw City pile up 100 points, 106 goals and 32 wins.

That campaign remains the sole instance of a Premier League side crossing the 100-point threshold, and it was sealed on the final day when Gabriel Jesus struck a last-gasp winner against Southampton.

Pep Guardiola's second season at the Etihad Stadium also ended with City finishing 19 points clear of second-placed Manchester United.

Back then, the Blues were a Nike-affiliated club, turning out in a simple sky blue shirt with white detailing on the collar and the sides. Puma has since taken over production of the club's kits and merchandise.

Phil Foden, the poster academy graduate, broke into the first team and made his Premier League debut during that same 2017/18 season.

Supporters hoping to get their hands on the commemorative shirt will have to wait — it is not expected to go on sale until May or June 2027.

Enzo Maresca's current side sit top of the Premier League, though the kit tribute is still a little way off.

The 22-year-old winger played the full 90 minutes of Tuesday's 5-1 win over AEK Athens, only his second start since arriving in the summer. His previous outing in the eleven came in the Carabao Cup third-round tie against Norwich City last month, a match in which he scored and assisted.

There was no repeat of that end product against the Greek side. Supporters on X were still impressed by what they saw, though, with the general tone suggesting a first Champions League appearance had done the winger's cause no harm.

Allan has spoken about the adjustment to life in a new country. Moving abroad, he said, had been more challenging than he anticipated. That kind of honesty is rare enough in a post-match interview.

Semenyo setback opens a door

Maresca confirmed that Antoine Semenyo will be sidelined for up to two months with a knee injury. The Ghanaian international hobbled off during last weekend's 3-2 win over Ipswich Town and could miss as many as 14 matches, the AEK Athens fixture among them.

Given the position he plays, Allan is one of the most obvious beneficiaries of that absence. Maresca now has a decision to make about how heavily he leans on a player with two starts to his name.

The Norwich performance showed what Allan can offer in the final third. The AEK outing showed he can last a full game at this level. Neither guarantees him a run in the side, but the circumstances have shifted in his favour.

The 26-year-old midfielder ended a 10-month wait for a City goal against Ipswich Town on Saturday, then followed it with a hat-trick in Tuesday's 5-1 Champions League win over AEK Athens.

From drought to downpour

Foden's treble against the Greek champions was his fourth for City and his first in the Champions League. It took his career tally in the competition to 23 goals, level with Frank Lampard among English scorers. Only Harry Kane, Wayne Rooney, Raheem Sterling and Paul Scholes sit above him; Scholes is now just one goal away.

He also set up Rayan Cherki's goal on Tuesday, giving him four goals and an assist across the past two games. Three of those goals have come in this season's Champions League, leaving him one behind the competition's leading scorers after Tuesday's matches.

For part of Tuesday's game Foden operated in a false-nine role, and he combined effectively with Rico Lewis, who created two of his goals.

City's next test comes at Aston Villa on Saturday.

A 72-hour wonder

The whole thing was over inside three days in spring 2021. City were among the first to walk away, doing so almost as quickly as they had joined. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham followed them out.

That, you would think, was that. Not for Real Madrid. Along with Barcelona and Juventus, they have carried the promotional costs since the plan was unveiled in April 2021. The breakaway has been repackaged more than once since, from a 64-club format in 2023 to the four-tier, 96-club 'Unify League' floated in 2024.

Now Madrid are adamant the six Premier League sides should still cover a share of the project's initial costs. They point to a shareholders' agreement signed with the European Super League Company, the Spain-based holding firm behind the venture. Any money owed is said to be due to that company. Signatories committed to 'jointly own and manage' the competition.

Pérez's binding contract

Florentino Pérez, the Real Madrid president, was in no doubt after the collapse. "I'm not going to take my time to explain what a binding contract is here," he said. "But the fact is, the clubs can't leave."

Madrid are also set to appoint Bernd Reichart, former chief executive of A22, the management company driving the project, to lead their business operations.

City and the other five English clubs have been invited to respond. They do so with the club already deep in the appeal against their Premier League financial verdict.

It is a curious kind of invoice. The Super League lasted 72 hours and never saw a ball kicked. Yet here we are, years later, with Madrid still trying to make the numbers add up.

City breezed past AEK Athens 5-1 on a night when Enzo Maresca's squad depth was on full display. Foden, a vital player for Maresca's side, delivered the goals. Yet the performance of a Brazilian winger operating out of position offered a glimpse of something different.

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Allan, typically a right winger, was handed a start on the left by Maresca. The switch did not inhibit him. He completed 4/5 successful dribbles and won 7/12 duels, numbers that suggest a player capable of adding a different dynamic to City's attack.

Allan's contribution in the build-up

The game was still alive at 2-1 when Allan received an Enzo Fernandez pass in the penalty area in the 57th minute. He helped set up Rayan Cherki's goal, Cherki producing a moment of magic to beat Alberto Brignoli and restore City's two-goal cushion. That assist snuffed out any hope of an AEK Athens comeback.

It was Allan's first start in the UEFA Champions League, and he made quite the impression. The Brazilian showed last night, and against Norwich City, that he can add a different dynamic to Manchester City's attack.

With Antoine Semenyo out for a sustained period due to a knee injury, Maresca may need to rely on that dynamism more often. On this evidence, Allan is ready to provide it.

Manchester City put five past AEK Athens at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, a 5-1 win that settles a few nerves after last week's Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

Elliot Anderson opened the scoring 14 minutes in, and by the interval City had a 2-0 lead. The visitors, one of the consistently best sides in the Greek Super League, were never really in it after that.

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Phil Foden set up Rayan Cherki for a brilliant goal to make it 3-1, and City pushed on from there.

It was a welcome result, coming as it did on the back of that loss to PSG. City, found guilty of breaking financial fair play rules, continue to refuse to lose in Premier League play. The win over AEK Athens was a reminder of the standards the club expects.

For the fans, a five-goal performance at home is never a bad way to spend a Tuesday evening.

After Saturday's victory over Ipswich Town left several key players nursing injuries — including Antoine Semenyo, who is set to miss up to eight weeks with a knee issue — City needed a response. They got one, and then some.

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Foden Ends Drought in Style

Phil Foden had not scored since December 2025. That particular statistic now looks rather silly. Four goals in his last two matches, including a fine third set up by young Ryan McAidoo, have emphatically ended the drought.

It is worth remembering that Foden only recently returned from a three-match ban for a violent act against Manchester United. Whatever rust might have been expected, there was none.

Anderson Off the Mark

Elliot Anderson, who arrived from Nottingham Forest in July, had been waiting for his first goal. He did not have to wait long against AEK. After a direct free kick struck the top post, Anderson reacted first — via a blow to the jaw, no less — and bundled the ball home.

It was that kind of night: scrappy in moments, ruthless in others.

Youth Given a Chance

With Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku rested, City handed a start to 17-year-old Floyd Samba. The teenager earned valuable experience, and the Blues still had more than enough to see off their Greek visitors.

AEK's supporters, it must be said, never stopped singing. They made their voices heard throughout, even as their team were sent home watching their club lose. Fair play to them — it is not every away end that keeps going at 5-1 down.

For City, the night was about squad depth, returning confidence, and a glimpse of the future. The scoreline helped too.

The right-back/midfielder delivered a timely reminder of what he offers Enzo Maresca's side, grabbing two assists in Manchester City's 5-1 win over AEK Athens at the Etihad Stadium. It was a performance that showcased the qualities that once made him a midfielder in City's academy system — and which now make him such a natural fit in the inverted full-back role.

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City were already in control by the time Lewis began to leave his mark. Elliot Anderson opened the scoring in the 12th minute, and from that point there was only one winner. Marko Nikolic's AEK side pushed numbers forward, especially early, but that played into City's hands.

Lewis set up Phil Foden's opening goal in the 34th minute with a clever ball after making a superb run inside of Foden to receive the ball from the England international. It was the kind of incisive movement that has become his trademark.

He then picked out Foden with a quality ball to help City take a 2-0 lead, before setting up Foden's second of the night after another bursting run into the AEK penalty area. His sublime first-time lay-off teed up Foden to finish spectacularly.

To cap off his night, Lewis's clever through ball down the right set Ryan McAidoo free behind the AEK defence to set up Foden to complete his hat-trick.

It was a display that underlined exactly what Lewis adds to this City team. The England international may have found minutes hard to come by so far this season, but performances like this serve as a reminder of his quality. For Maresca, it is a welcome selection headache.

The striker was an unused substitute in Wednesday's 5-1 Champions League win over AEK Athens, having been one of four injured players in the squad. Nico O'Reilly, Matheus Nunes and Mateo Kovacic were also carrying knocks, though only Haaland made the bench.

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Maresca was direct about his availability: “He’s okay to start on Saturday.”

City's comfortable win over the Greek side was powered by a Phil Foden hat trick, with Elliot Anderson and Rayan Cherki also on the scoresheet. The result came in City's matchday three league phase fixture, and it allowed Maresca to rest Jeremy Doku, Iliman Ndiaye, Marc Guehi and Ayyoub Bouaddi.

Now the focus shifts to Villa Park, a ground that has not been kind to City in recent years. The Blues have not won there since a 2-1 victory in December 2021, and their record since then reads three defeats and a draw.

Unai Emery's side will provide a stern test, but the return of Haaland to the starting XI gives City a significant boost as they look to end that barren run.

The 18-year-old forward, who only signed his first professional deal a few weeks ago, has now agreed improved terms that will keep him at the club for the rest of the decade. The agreement, reported by the Manchester Evening News' Simon Bajkowski and Alex James, is an upgrade on the deal he signed last summer and reflects the high regard in which the club holds the Macclesfield-born youngster.

Samba has been with City since joining as an Under-8 prospect and has risen through the age groups to become a key figure in a highly competitive Under-18 side. His progress was recognised earlier this year when he was included in a senior Champions League matchday squad for January's meeting with FK Bodø/Glimt.

He is the son of Christopher Samba, the former Blackburn Rovers and Queens Park Rangers defender who spent years in the Premier League and represented Congo at international level. His younger brother, Floyd, also signed his first professional contract over the summer and made an immediate impression with a brace on his senior debut against Norwich City in the Carabao Cup last month.

City's academy has long been reputed as one of the most productive in the world, and tying down Samba on a long-term deal is another sign of the club's commitment to nurturing homegrown talent.

The Under-18 side, however, have endured a difficult start in the UEFA Youth League, losing their opening two fixtures to FC Porto and Paris Saint-Germain. They will look to get their campaign up and running when they face AEK Athens on Tuesday.

TEAMtalk claim that Enzo Maresca's side attempted to bring the 17-year-old to the Etihad during the summer transfer window, when they were prepared to pay upwards of €20m (£17m) for him. Dortmund rejected the approach at the time, but Albert's contract expires at the end of the season, and his limited first-team opportunities suggest he is unlikely to sign an extension.

Born in South Carolina, Albert had spells at Carolina Elite Soccer, San Diego Surf and LA Galaxy before joining Dortmund in the summer of 2024. He impressed for the German club's second string in the regional leagues last season, earning a first-team debut against Freiburg in April. Head coach Niko Kovac has handed him two further appearances this season, against HEBC Hamburg in the German Cup and Union Berlin in the Bundesliga.

On the international stage, USA boss Mauricio Pochettino gave Albert his first senior caps during the last international break, and the forward scored his first goal in his second game against Chile.

City's pursuit faces two significant obstacles. Firstly, UK visa rules prevent the club from signing foreign players under the age of 18, meaning any official move would have to wait until Albert's birthday in late May. Secondly, the club's appeal against breaches of Premier League FFP regulations could influence the player's willingness to move to the Etihad if it fails.

With Chelsea and PSG also considering a move, City will need to navigate these hurdles carefully if they are to secure the highly-rated youngster's signature.

The striker sat out the open portion of City's final training session on Monday, putting his participation in doubt. Haaland picked up a knock in Saturday's 3-2 Premier League win over Ipswich Town, appearing to hurt his foot late on after catching Jack Clarke's studs while shooting. He was seen limping as he went down the tunnel at full-time.

Enzo Maresca, though, has not ruled him out. "He can be available. We'll see," the City boss said before the session. "We have some doubts after Saturday's game. He was quite good yesterday. Better. So we'll see today."

Haaland's importance to City's European campaign is clear. He has scored all four of their Champions League goals this season, netting twice against Porto and twice in the 4-2 defeat by Paris Saint-Germain. His league form is hardly shabby either: eight goals already, including two against Ipswich.

City are already without Antoine Semenyo, who is expected to miss around eight weeks with a knee injury. Mateo Kovacic, Matheus Nunes and Nico O'Reilly also missed the open session after picking up fitness concerns in the Ipswich win. Maresca had earlier suggested the rest of his squad were "more or less okay."

The Blues host AEK at 8pm on Tuesday, looking to respond to that PSG defeat. Whether Haaland features remains the main talking point until the teams are announced.

The south stand has changed since then — it is now three-tiered, whereas the third tier had not even been built for that Europa League round of 32 tie. The away end will look different, but the noise might not be.

AEK: More Than a Name

AEK stands for Athlitiki Enosi Konstantinoupoleos, which translates to Athletic Union of Constantinople. The club was founded in 1924 by immigrants of Greek origin from that city, now known as Istanbul. Their dedicated ultra group is called Original 21.

About 10,000 of their supporters took over Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night. Enzo Maresca knows the ferocity of Greek fans from his year playing for Olympiacos.

Nicolic's Unbeaten Machine

Marko Nicolic, the 47-year-old Serbian manager, has been in charge of the Greek Super League champions since the start of summer 2025. His side has been unbeaten in the league for the past year and is the only remaining unbeaten side in the top flight this season.

Nicolic deploys a rigid 4-2-2-2 formation, but AEK do not adhere to a fixed tactical philosophy. Last month in the Champions League against LASK, he dropped his two strikers deeper and brought in an attacking midfielder to create a midfield trio. The result was a 1-0 win.

Against Shakhtar, AEK minimised their opponent's threat from open play and created plenty of goalscoring opportunities. They were unable to sustain that past the hour mark, and backup goalkeeper Alberto Bringoli conceded a regrettable goal at his near post.

Summer signing Milan Vitalis has added to the squad. Former Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic is a central pillar of their attacking sequences, and his partnership with Barnabas Varga has been key to their domestic success.

For City, this is a test against a side that does not lose often. The 14-time league champions arrive with a familiar face in Maresca and a fanbase that travels in numbers. The Etihad's three tiers will need to be at their loudest.

Manchester City’s defensive spine has been built on Ruben Dias and Marc Guehi this season. Enzo Maresca has leaned on the pair heavily, and the workload is starting to show.

There have been signs of fatigue in both centre-backs. That makes the lack of minutes for Vitor Reis all the more curious.

The 20-year-old Brazilian has made just two appearances for City this season. One was a start in the 5-0 Carabao Cup win over Norwich City. The other was a one-minute cameo at the end of the 4-1 victory at Crystal Palace.

Reis is not yet ready for a prominent role. But he showed during a loan spell with Girona in La Liga last season that he can play. The Brazilian international was, by common consent, the best young centre-back in that league.

Tonight City face AEK Athens at the Etihad in their third Champions League league-phase fixture. They could be without five key players. Josko Gvardiol is expected to start at left-back and drift forward as he has all season.

Reis will likely have to wait a little longer. He is pencilled in to start the fourth-round Carabao Cup tie against Brighton next week.

For now, Dias and Guehi keep going. The question is how long they can.

The Ghana international's absence leaves Enzo Maresca short of options in wide areas, and the spotlight now falls on Brazilian winger Allan, who has made just two appearances for City this season.

Allan's chance to stake a claim

Allan arrived from Palmeiras in the summer and has been given time to adapt to life in a new country and at a new club. His most eye-catching contribution so far came in the Carabao Cup third round, where he started against Norwich City and grabbed a goal and an assist in a 5-0 win.

That performance offered a glimpse of a direct winger who thrives in one-on-one situations. What it did not show, however, is a player capable of matching Semenyo's power or his eye for goal. Allan is a different proposition — less physically imposing, less prolific — and Maresca will need to adjust his approach accordingly.

Eight weeks is a long time in a season. For Allan, it is an opportunity.

The identity of the player in question is not disclosed in the source material, nor is the timing of Giggs' intervention. What is clear is that a City star was the target of a United charm offensive led by one of the club's most decorated former players.

A familiar Old Trafford tactic

It is not the first time United have looked enviously across the city. The club's recent history is littered with attempts to close the gap, though few have involved a legend of Giggs' stature acting as intermediary.

INEOS, now calling the shots at Old Trafford, have been told to target the player again. The suggestion implies the original attempt did not succeed — hardly a surprise given City's recent dominance and the pull of Pep Guardiola's project.

For City, the story is little more than noise. The Blues have grown accustomed to their players being linked with moves away, particularly to a rival that has spent the past decade trying to recapture former glories.

Whether INEOS act on the advice remains to be seen. What is certain is that any attempt to prise a key man from the Etihad will be met with the same resistance Giggs encountered.

Speaking ahead of City's Champions League meeting with AEK Athens, the defender offered a rare glimpse into the mindset of a squad hurtling from one game to the next.

"It's been good. It's been enjoyable, to be honest. Not to train, to be honest, but just playing games, which is fun. Loads of games at the moment. Grateful that we've been able to get some results, and hopefully it continues."

That run has been typically eventful. Enzo Maresca's side followed a home loss to Paris Saint-Germain with wins over Liverpool and Ipswich Town, a sequence that captures the unpredictable nature of the modern calendar.

The PSG reverse was particularly bruising: Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha all struck inside the opening 32 minutes at the Etihad Stadium as the visitors ran out 4-2 winners last Wednesday.

Guehi, though, is not complaining about the workload. "Not a strain, no," he said when asked about the lack of rest. "I'm grateful to be fit and healthy. It's not easy to be fit and healthy, especially at this level with all the games. So try to do the best you can, the most you can, and just enjoy every moment."

His own form has been a model of consistency. Since arriving from Crystal Palace in January for £20 million on a five-and-a-half-year deal, the centre-back has made 30 appearances in all competitions. This season, he has started every game under Maresca bar the 5-0 Carabao Cup win over Norwich City and the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal.

Guehi's only goal came on the opening day of the Premier League season against Bournemouth, while his sole assist arrived four games later against Sunderland.

Such reliability has clearly struck a chord with Maresca, who views the England international as one of his most valued players, alongside Erling Haaland and Elliot Anderson.

City's campaign began with a win over FC Porto, and Maresca has since written his name into the record books as the first manager in Premier League history to win his opening seven games at a club.

For Guehi, the focus remains simple: keep playing, keep winning, and enjoy the ride.

City's January recruit from Bournemouth has been a lively presence since arriving, but the Ghana international's recent revelation about his pre-match routine has added a curious layer to his first year at the Etihad.

Semenyo journals. Not in a vague, wellness-app way — he writes down specific targets, then waits for them to happen.

"Every goal that I've written down so far has manifested," he said.

It started, as these things often do, with a notebook meant for something else entirely. "My mum got me a big book that was meant to be for homework but it became for random stuff," Semenyo explained. As a kid he filled it with whatever came to mind. As he got older, the habit narrowed. He began logging his days, his thoughts, the things rattling around his head.

"A lot of the time I was overthinking so it became a habit," he said. "When anything pops up, I write it down and come back to it to see it at a later stage."

The 26-year-old Londoner now uses it to map out his season — and beyond. "I manifest what I want for the season, for the years ahead and it's worked out well so far."

Numbers Tell a Different Story

Two goals and three assists in 10 outings across all competitions is a respectable return for a player settling into a new squad. It is not, however, the sort of tally that silences questions — especially after last week's 4-2 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, where Semenyo's finishing drew scrutiny.

That performance arrived at an awkward moment. Enzo Maresca had already signalled that several of his regulars were running on empty, and the weekend trip to Ipswich Town forced his hand. Six changes to the starting XI followed. Erling Haaland scored twice. Phil Foden, back in the fold, got one that felt overdue. City won 3-2.

The result kept a remarkable run intact: seven Premier League wins from seven to start the campaign.

Semenyo's contribution to that start has been real but uneven. The journaling, he insists, helps. Whether it helps enough to turn neat entries into cold numbers is the question that matters now.

AEK Athens arrive at the Etihad on Tuesday night. Another page, another chance to write something down.

The winger has featured in every one of City's seven Premier League games this term, six of them from the start, contributing two goals and three assists. That consistency makes the lay-off more than a minor inconvenience.

There was better news elsewhere on the fitness front. Maresca described his other recent concerns as 'more or less all OK', offering encouragement over Erling Haaland, Mateo Kovacic, Matheus Nunes and Nico O'Reilly.

AEK arrive for historic Etihad tie

AEK are the visitors on Tuesday evening, with an 8pm BST kick-off at the Etihad. UK viewers can watch on TNT Sports 1, with Willy Delajod of France refereeing and Belgium's Bram Van Driessche on VAR.

The fixture carries a milestone: it will be City's 150th match in the European Cup or Champions League proper. It is also a first competitive meeting with the Greek side.

Maresca's team have three points from their opening two league-phase matches, having beaten Porto 2-0 before a 4-2 home defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

AEK's squad includes former Real Madrid and AC Milan striker Luka Jovic, while Croatia international Lovro Majer and Romania midfielder Razvan Marin bring considerable experience at club and international level. Hungary striker Barnabas Varga and Euro 2016 winner Joao Mario are other recognisable figures who could feature.

City's record against Greek opposition offers encouragement: four previous matches against Aris and Olympiacos have produced three wins and a draw, without a single goal conceded.

Appeal outcome looms

Off the pitch, attention turns to the club's appeal against the independent commission's findings. City deny wrongdoing and argue the commission's opinion contains 'clear material errors, of law, principle and fact' and is unsafe.

Jamie Carragher believes a punishment lasting between three and five years should follow if the findings are upheld on appeal.

Sports lawyer James Severn says City must demonstrate a material error of law, principle or fact, or serious procedural unfairness which materially affected the original decision.

Former Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese, a City supporter and honorary president of the club, criticised what he called an 'opaque' process and said that, when asked whether he believed the football club or the Premier League, he believed City.

It is a bold claim. And Keown was quick to admit it is not his own. He was relaying rumours, he stressed, not delivering a confirmed legal update. There has been no official word from the Premier League or City to suggest the appeal will conclude in that timeframe, or that any particular punishment has been settled on.

What is certain is that City are appealing an independent commission's verdict. That commission delivered its findings in September, finding the club guilty of serious financial rule breaches between the 2009/10 and 2017/18 seasons. The findings included misleading commercial arrangements used to inflate revenue, inaccurate financial reporting and breaches of spending regulations. City were also found to have failed to cooperate fully with aspects of the Premier League's investigation.

The club lodged their appeal on October 1, arguing the commission's conclusions contained substantial legal and factual errors. In an official statement, City reiterated their position: they are innocent of the accusations and will continue to challenge the verdict.

"I'm hearing rumours that this will all be over in a number of weeks," Keown said. "In six weeks or so, we'll see what's going to happen. And it won't be nearly as bad as we think it might be. Maybe they get off with huge fines and we return to the football pitch again."

It is worth remembering what is actually at stake. City were initially found guilty on 114 financial breaches following an extensive investigation into historical revenue reporting and compliance. Sanctions could range from financial penalties to points deductions or more severe sporting measures, depending on how the appeal unfolds. No final punishment has been confirmed while the process remains ongoing.

Opposition fans and rival executives have made their feelings clear, calling for penalties stretching from historic point deductions to expulsion from the top flight or the stripping of titles. That noise will not quieten until a verdict lands.

For now, Keown's timeline is exactly what he said it was: a rumour. City's appeal rumbles on, and the only thing supporters can bank on is that the club will keep fighting the findings. The rest is speculation dressed up as insight.

The reality of the situation

The FFP saga has dragged on long enough for supporters to grow weary of the speculation. Now, those with knowledge of the situation have indicated that a significant sanction is on the way. The exact nature of that punishment remains unclear from the information available, but the message is consistent: it will be substantial.

For a club that has spent years under a cloud of uncertainty, the confirmation that the worst-case scenario is unlikely to materialise offers a measure of relief. The threat of expulsion or a catastrophic points deduction has hung over the Etihad like a bad smell. That particular cloud appears to be lifting.

What the final penalty looks like is another matter. Insiders have not put a figure on it, nor have they specified whether it will be financial, a points deduction, or a combination of both. The only certainty is that City will pay a price.

The tone from those in the know is not one of panic. That in itself is telling. If the club were facing a fight for its very survival, the mood would be rather different.

What it means for the Blues

For supporters, the wait has been the hardest part. Years of legal wrangling and claim and counter-claim have tested patience. The confirmation that a doomsday outcome is unlikely will be welcomed, even if the prospect of a heavy punishment is hardly cause for celebration.

City have maintained their innocence throughout, and the club's position has not changed. The insiders' assessment suggests that whatever the final ruling, it will not be the existential threat that some rivals have gleefully anticipated.

There is still no timeline for a final decision. Until then, the speculation will continue. But the picture emerging is one of a club that will take a hit and carry on, rather than one facing the abyss.

For a fanbase accustomed to watching their team dominate on the pitch, the off-field battle has been an unwelcome distraction. The latest indication is that the distraction will end with a bruise rather than a broken bone.

The 26-year-old picked up the problem soon after replacing Jérémy Doku with 13 minutes remaining of Saturday's win over Ipswich Town. He had started all nine matches this season prior to the weekend, setting the EFL Cup aside, and his absence will be felt across a congested schedule.

A bright start interrupted

Semenyo arrived from Bournemouth in January and has made an immediate impression. Thirteen goals and six assists in 37 appearances tell only part of the story; the brace against Sunderland and the winner in the FA Cup Final against Chelsea were the headline moments of a productive first year at the club.

That form has earned him a regular place, and the timing of the injury is far from ideal. City may have won seven out of seven in the league so far, but the next eight weeks bring four Champions League ties, including a trip to Camp Nou to face Barcelona.

The fixture list is relentless despite an international break in November. Thirteen games in eight weeks leaves little room for rotation, and Maresca will now have to shuffle his attacking options.

Semenyo will also miss Ghana's double header for Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Somalia during this period.

City's depth will be tested. The wins keep coming, but the squad is about to find out how much it relies on a player who has quietly become a key part of the machine.

Enzo Maresca confirmed the extent of Semenyo's problem on Monday. The winger came on late against Ipswich, hurt his knee shortly afterwards, and saw out the match despite not being able to run at full speed. With no substitution left to make, he stayed on.

Haaland's situation is less clear. Maresca initially said the striker would be available for the AEK Athens game at the Etihad, then clarified that the club would assess him in Monday's training session. The Norwegian's issue concerns his foot, and he was seen limping heavily as he left the pitch at the end of the Ipswich match, having appeared to collide with Jack Clarke late on.

There is at least some encouragement: Haaland felt better on Sunday than he had on Saturday after the victory.

Mateo Kovačić, Matheus Nunes and Nico O'Reilly also picked up knocks or injuries during the Ipswich match. O'Reilly's problem may simply be an aggravation of an existing back issue.

Maresca's update offered a mixed picture. Semenyo is the only player ruled out; the rest, Haaland included, have a chance of featuring against AEK Athens on Tuesday at 15:00 BST.

Trafford, now at Leeds United following a £40 million summer switch, reflected on a difficult second spell at his boyhood club in an interview with The Times. Quizzed on whether City signing Donnarumma a month after his own arrival came as a surprise, the goalkeeper offered a measured response.

"Yeah, erm, yeah, it's one of them things. It happened, it's in the past."

That brief answer belies a chaotic year. Trafford was brought back to City by sporting director Hugo Viana last summer for £27 million, with the club activating a buy-back clause at Burnley as Ederson pursued interest from Turkey. The England international had reportedly been given assurances over the number one position in talks before he left Turf Moor.

Those assurances quickly unravelled. Trafford gave away a cheap goal in a 2-0 home defeat to Tottenham in the second game of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign. Ederson was then allowed to complete a deadline day move to Fenerbahce, and City completed the £26 million signing of Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain.

Donnarumma, the Italy captain who broke into the AC Milan senior squad at 16, was 27 and prone to the odd error—as recently on display in a 4-2 loss to his former club PSG in the Champions League last week. Trafford had to wait until the final day of the season—Pep Guardiola's final game in charge—to return to the Premier League side. He did lead the Blues to a Carabao Cup and FA Cup double triumph.

Now at Leeds, Trafford's exit marks the end of a whirlwind chapter. His boyhood return promised much but delivered little in terms of regular football, and the Donnarumma signing proved the decisive twist. City, for their part, have moved on—though the goalkeeper's terse reflection suggests the memory lingers.

Before City's 3-2 win, Maresca told the media that a host of players would need resting during a hectic schedule. He named Erling Haaland, Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernandez, Marc Guehi and Ruben Dias as those who will need a break at some point this season.

The warning looked prescient at the Etihad. Guehi, who had been in impressive form to begin the 2026-27 season, endured a torrid time against Gary O'Neil's side.

Maeda Leaves Guehi Grounded

City took the lead in the 19th minute through Phil Foden. The advantage lasted two minutes. Abdul Ouattara played a ball from the right behind the City defence, and Guehi drifted from his defensive position to play Daizen Maeda onside.

The Japanese international then left Guehi on the floor, using his body to shrug off the challenge before calmly slotting past Gianluigi Donnarumma at his near post to make it 1-1.

Worse followed late on. Guehi fouled Ipswich winger Abdul Fatawu, and although the referee initially waved play on, a VAR check awarded a penalty. Zian Flemming converted in the 90th minute to make it 3-2.

Maresca's side held on for their seventh consecutive Premier League win. The result was secure; the performance from Guehi was not.

Workload Catches Up

Guehi has carried a heavy workload through the summer with England and City. He featured prominently over the recent international break, and the toll was visible here.

Maresca's pre-match comments now look less like standard rotation talk and more like a necessary plan. With AEK Athens visiting the Etihad on Tuesday night for City's third UEFA Champions League league phase fixture, the manager has an obvious opportunity to give Guehi a breather.

Whether he takes it is another matter. But after an afternoon that saw Guehi played onside, left for dead and then concede a late penalty, the case for a rest makes itself.

Mateo Kovacic is not a name that appears on Enzo Maresca's team sheet every week. The Croatian midfielder has found starts hard to come by under the current manager, so Saturday's visit of Ipswich Town offered a rare opportunity to remind everyone of his quality.

Maresca handed Kovacic a midfield berth alongside Phil Foden and Ayyoub Bouaddi for the 3-2 win at the Etihad Stadium. Bouaddi anchored as the number six, allowing Kovacic to operate further forward and influence the game in the final third.

The 50 minutes Kovacic spent on the pitch were enough to leave a mark. His cross set up Erling Haaland's first goal of the afternoon, a moment that underlined the vision and delivery he brings to a side that often relies on its midfielders to unlock deep defences. It was a timely reminder of what Kovacic offers when given the chance.

But the afternoon ended on a sour note. Kovacic sustained an injury and was withdrawn in the 50th minute, cutting short a performance that had already made its point. The nature and severity of the problem are not yet clear, though any absence would be a blow for a player who has had to be patient for opportunities.

City's 3-2 victory over Ipswich keeps the Blues on track, but the sight of Kovacic limping off will temper the satisfaction. For a midfielder who has spent much of the season watching from the bench, this was a reminder of his value — and a frustrating reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift.

No Sugarcoating

Vitor Matos did not dress it up. Monga is available for selection, the Swansea manager confirmed, but the squad in front of him is competitive. "So far Jeremy hasn't made the squad, but let's see," Matos said.

That is the position in plain terms. A 17-year-old winger signed from Leicester City for a reported £10 million up front, earmarked as one for the future, has spent the opening weeks of his season-long loan watching from outside the matchday group.

The Leicester Backstory

Monga rewrote age records during his breakthrough at Leicester. The Foxes were relegated to EFL League One, and City moved for him. The fee was significant for a teenager, the intent clear: this was a long-term project, not an immediate first-team fix.

The loan to Swansea on deadline day was meant to provide senior minutes. So far it has provided none.

The Competition

Matos pointed to the form around Monga. Summer arrivals Moussa Yeo and Joseph Opoku have impressed since their moves to the Championship, and Swansea are flying high at the top of the table. A manager with a winning side has little reason to hand minutes to a loanee still finding his feet.

"He's available, of course. But at the moment, we've a really competitive squad. So far Jeremy hasn't made the squad, but let's see."

Matos was careful to stress the bigger picture. "I think there's still a lot of time. He's a really young player with a lot of potential, there's no doubt about that," he said. "That's why he's with City and played games with Leicester."

January Question

Pressed on whether a January return to Manchester was possible, Matos did not rule it out. "Let's see, we don't know," he added.

Swansea and City are in contact all the time, according to Matos, with a lot of communication and an open book about the situation. That lines up with how City tend to handle these loans — monitoring, not meddling.

For now, Monga waits. The talent is not in question. The minutes are.

Phil Foden had given City a 19th-minute lead, only for Daizen Maeda to equalise for Ipswich two minutes later. Haaland restored the advantage with a thumping header in the 34th minute, meeting Mateo Kovacic's cross from the right. Ipswich keeper Christian Walton got a hand to the ball but couldn't keep it out.

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Haaland's second, from Iliman Ndaiye's through ball, saw him leave a defender on the floor before beating Walton with a cool finish. That goal effectively sealed the 3-2 win for Enzo Maresca's side.

The brace takes Haaland to 12 goals in 10 matches in all competitions this season, and four in his past two games. His overall performances have lifted considerably, carrying his World Cup form into the 2026-27 campaign.

Manchester City are weighing up a January approach for Real Betis centre-back Natan, with head coach Enzo Maresca pushing the move.

Reports suggest Maresca has already made his feelings clear to the club hierarchy, requesting they pursue the 25-year-old Brazilian.

Natan's first impression on Maresca is said to date back to the Italian's time in charge of Chelsea in the Conference League. The two sides met in the final, where Maresca's Chelsea ran out 4-1 winners. Despite the scoreline, Natan's display apparently left a mark on the coach.

Left-footed and physically imposing, Natan excels in individual duels—qualities that could earn him minutes in City's backline. His contract at Betis still has over three and a half years to run, meaning any deal won't come cheap. City would need to meet his €40m (£34m) valuation, a figure that isn't astronomical in today's market for a centre-half.

Ficherio reports that while Natan appreciates interest from the Premier League club, his preference is to remain in La Liga, with Barcelona also monitoring him. The Catalan giants enquired about the defender last summer but stopped short of a formal offer. That could change in January, but for now City appear the likeliest to make a move.

The goal, which set City on their way to a 3-2 win, was Foden's first in the Premier League since December last year — a wait of 10 months. Jeremy Doku supplied the ball from the left and Foden fired home.

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Maresca had made the playful declaration ahead of his pre-game press conference, and his confidence was rewarded. Speaking after the match, the City manager was thrilled to see Foden back on the scoresheet.

"With Phil I said many times, I know him from years ago, for me he's one of the best Premier League players," Maresca said in an interview published on mancity.com. "And since day one it's my duty to help him to again be one of the best players."

He added: "I'm very happy for his goal, and hopefully it can be just the beginning of many goals and good performances."

Foden's return to the pitch was his first appearance since being sent off in City's win over Manchester United last month. He played a key role in the victory over Ipswich, and Maresca believes the goal could set him on his way.

City had to fight for the three points, but Foden's early strike and overall contribution helped them get over the line.

Erling Haaland's brace and an eye-catching Phil Foden comeback helped Manchester City preserve their 100 per cent Premier League record with a 3-2 win over Ipswich Town at the Etihad Stadium.

Enzo Maresca's side have now won all seven of their league fixtures, though Zian Flemming's late penalty meant the closing minutes were far less comfortable than the scoreline might suggest.

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Foden's return the standout note

Foden, back in the starting line-up, looked sharp and inventive throughout. He ghosted into the area to convert Jeremy Doku's cut-back and, on an afternoon of several encouraging individual displays, his performance was arguably the most significant development for City.

Doku himself created the opener and repeatedly troubled Ipswich with his direct running. Another midfielder produced a composed, unflustered display in possession, keeping City ticking over, while a defender forced Christian Walton into an early save with a powerful effort and looked the more assured of the centre-back pairing.

One wide player saw plenty of the ball down the right without making a telling contribution and was withdrawn after 76 minutes. Another got forward regularly but should have done better with a good headed chance after the break.

Haaland decisive, VAR intervenes

Haaland headed City back in front before using his strength and composure to score the third. He was denied a hat-trick by VAR.

His first goal came from clever work and delivery by a teammate who was excellent before injury forced him off early in the second half. Another player slid Haaland through for his second and later struck the crossbar.

Gianluigi Donnarumma had little chance with either Ipswich goal and was otherwise relatively untroubled. Maeda shrugged off his marker too easily for the equaliser. Guehi conceded the late penalty for catching Abdul Fatawu.

Late changes steady the ship

From the bench, one substitute replaced Kovacic and was denied one-on-one by Walton. Another was solid after coming on for O'Reilly. Abdukodir Khusanov, introduced for Nunes, helped City negotiate the closing stages, and a further change added fresh legs as the Blues sought to see out the victory. One late arrival had little time to make a significant impression.

City registered 19 attempts and an expected-goals figure of 3.53, yet Ipswich remained in the contest until the end. Haaland supplied the decisive goals, but the late penalty ensured a nervous finish.

Haaland scored twice in the win, but his afternoon ended with a worrying sight as he limped off at the final whistle, unable to run.

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The striker had been tangled up with an Ipswich player earlier in the match. It was not clear whether he had his foot stepped on or suffered a more serious injury.

Manager Enzo Maresca initially said he had no information on Haaland's condition, but later revealed that the Norwegian had told him he was OK.

City's next match is against AEK Athens in the Champions League on Tuesday, and Haaland's availability will be a major talking point.

There are further concerns for Maresca. Antoine Semenyo, who did not start, appeared to have a hamstring issue and could not run at full speed in his limited time on the pitch. Maresca said the only player they need to wait a little bit for is Antoine.

Matheus Nunes, Nico O'Reilly, and Mateo Kovacic were also dealing with some unknown new issues, leaving City with a growing list of fitness worries.

The Blues have four more matches before the end of October, a schedule that will test the squad's depth.

That 1897 side drew its eighth league match against Newton Heath, the club that would eventually become Manchester United. City have never won eight straight to start a campaign. Beat Aston Villa on October 24, and this current group will hold the record outright.

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Foden Ends the Drought

Phil Foden had been serving a three-match ban for violent contact against Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes. He hadn't scored since December. That changed in the 19th minute when Jeremy Doku delivered a cross and Foden put it away.

It was his first goal in 10 months. A weight off, you'd imagine.

The match itself was closer than it needed to be. City scored in the 19th minute, but a breakdown in the 21st let Ipswich — newly promoted — back into it. The visitors made a game of it for far longer than anyone at the Etihad would have liked.

Rotation in Full Flow

Enzo Maresca used his bench freely late in the second half. Elliot Anderson, Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki, Enzo Fernandez, Abdukodir Khusanov and Josko Gvardiol all came on as the manager shuffled his pack.

It's been a brutal stretch. City have played three matches in a week and have another four before October ends. Last weekend they destroyed Liverpool. On Wednesday they lost 4-2 to Paris Saint-Germain. Saturday's win, however scrappy at times, keeps the league run intact.

The bigger picture remains unresolved. The Premier League will eventually announce sanctions, and the club will be punished for allegedly breaking financial fair play rules. For now, though, the football keeps delivering — and history is one win away.

The clubs renew acquaintances this weekend, which brings to mind a handful of afternoons that have stuck in the memory — one glorious, one grim, and a few that were simply fun.

Power's moment at Villa Park

Start with 1981. Sir Bobby Robson had Ipswich chasing a league title and a UEFA Cup, with a treble in their sights. City, captained by Paul Power, met them in an FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park.

Power settled it in extra-time, curling a free-kick past Paul Cooper in the 100th minute to send City to the final against Tottenham. That one ended in defeat after a replay at Wembley, but the semi-final remains the fixture that first comes to mind for a certain generation.

Relegation at Portman Road

Twenty years later, both clubs had just won promotion and met at Portman Road. Shaun Goater put City ahead after 74 minutes. Matt Holland levelled four minutes later, and Martijn Reuser won it with five minutes left.

The loss confirmed City's relegation after a single season back in the top flight. Ipswich, to their credit, finished fifth and qualified for the UEFA Cup.

Eight months later, a point to prove

City returned to Portman Road eight months on, now in the First Division under Kevin Keegan, for an FA Cup fourth-round tie. Eyal Berkovic volleyed in Ali Benarbia's corner, Goater struck twice after the break, and Darren Huckerby completed a 4-1 win.

That City side went on to finish the season as First Division champions with 99 points and 108 league goals. The clubs then went more than 22 years without meeting.

Haaland's hat-trick at the Etihad

When they finally reconvened at the Etihad, newly promoted Ipswich led after seven minutes through Sammie Szmodics. Erling Haaland equalised from the spot, Kevin De Bruyne punished an error from former City goalkeeper Arijanet Muric, and City scored three times in three minutes and 11 seconds. Haaland completed his hat-trick late on with a low strike from outside the area to seal a 4-1 victory.

It was his 10th hat-trick for City, on only his 101st appearance.

Six of the best at Portman Road

City's next visit to Portman Road was their first in the league since May 2001. Phil Foden scored twice before half-time and set up Mateo Kovacic for another. Jeremy Doku made it four after the break, Haaland added his name to the scoresheet, and substitute James McAtee completed a 6-0 win.

It equalled City's biggest Premier League away victory. They arrived as four-time defending champions, and on this evidence Ipswich were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

A triple change that shifted the tempo

With his side 3-0 down to the back-to-back European champions, Maresca made a triple substitution, bringing on Ayyoub Bouaddi, Iliman Ndiaye and Matheus Nunes for Rayan Cherki, Jeremy Doku and Ruben Dias.

Bouaddi took control of the midfield battle against Luis Enrique's side, but it was Ndiaye's impact on the left flank that caught the eye. The Senegalese winger slotted straight in on the left wing after halftime and didn't give Achraf Hakimi a moment's peace.

Ndiaye grabbed an assist by setting up Erling Haaland's first goal in the 53rd minute with a superb cross that Haaland headed home. It was the kind of contribution that underlined his quality.

More than just a dribbler

Described as an elite dribbler, Ndiaye is also a tireless worker out of possession. His work rate helped City keep Hakimi quiet in the second half, and it was arguably his best 45 minutes for the club.

In terms of what he offers Maresca on the wing, Ndiaye is different to Antoine Semenyo and Jeremy Doku. In possession, he can pin an opponent's full-backs back. Opposing full-backs have no idea which way he will go or what he will do, and much like Doku, this is an element of City's attacking play that makes them so hard to contain.

There were plenty of positives to take from the match for Maresca and City supporters, and Ndiaye's second-half display was chief among them.

Enzo Maresca has backed Phil Foden to score against Ipswich Town today, offering a light-hearted prediction during his pre-match press conference. The City manager's quip came as he discussed the midfielder's return to contention after a difficult spell.

"He will score tomorrow!"

Foden has made six appearances in all competitions this season, contributing two assists. His campaign was interrupted by a three-match suspension following a red card for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes in the September derby, a match City won 1-0.

Maresca acknowledged the disruption but remains positive about the player's progress. "The international break and since the red card against United has been quite long," he said. "But he has been training well, he's doing well since we start [made a] very positive start, very good."

The manager also stressed the need to manage Foden's return carefully amid a crowded fixture list. "We will see if he is available tomorrow, but we have so many games," Maresca added. "We need to decide if he starts tomorrow or not and if he does, no doubt he will give us something."

Foden was an unused substitute in City's 4-2 loss to PSG, and with Gary O'Neil's Ipswich the visitors at the Etihad Stadium, Maresca will weigh whether to hand him a starting role. The manager's approach remains measured: "We just try to work with him day by day."

City fans will hope that work pays off quickly, starting today.

The 15:00 kick-off at the Etihad is not being shown live on domestic television. Live commentary is available with a City+ subscription, and the club's app will carry coverage. Abroad, the game is on USA Network in the United States, Disney+ Premium in Brazil, myCANAL and Canal+ Live 3 in France, and Viaplay Norway and V Sport Premier League 1 in Norway.

No fresh injury concerns

Enzo Maresca has no new injury problems to contend with. Ipswich arrive without any prolonged injury issues of their own, so both managers have close to full squads at their disposal.

City have won their first six Premier League matches and will want to keep that run going. The fixture list is about to get busier — three matches in a week's time — and Maresca can begin resting players early for the upcoming Champions League tie.

Donnarumma looking to respond

Gianluigi Donnarumma will probably want to help fans forget about his embarrassing performance against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday. That Champions League match was City's worst showing of the season, and it came against a PSG side that has won Europe the last two seasons.

City could face restrictions later in the season depending on any punishment for allegations of breaking financial fair play rules. There have been recent charges and a guilty finding against the club, and non-City fans feel a bit of redemption any time something goes wrong for the Blues.

Ipswich's defensive record

Ipswich sit on a 3-0-3 record and are being outscored 9-12. They have allowed the fourth-most goals in the Premier League, which suggests City should get the victory easily — that is the hope, at least.

The England midfielder has served his three-match domestic suspension and comes back into contention for the visit of Ipswich Town. City, for their part, have no fitness concerns to report — a clean bill of health across the squad.

Foden's Return and Maresca's Joke

Foden sat out the Premier League fixtures but has been training well, according to the club. He was not used in Wednesday's Champions League meeting with Paris Saint-Germain, a 4-2 defeat that exposed a few gaps at the back.

Maresca, speaking to the official Manchester City website, said he had not yet settled on whether Foden would start against Ipswich. He then joked that the midfielder would find the net on Saturday — a line that will raise a smile among supporters who have missed seeing him in the league.

Bouaddi Makes His Case

Ayyoub Bouaddi has given Maresca something else to think about. The 18-year-old came on at half-time for Rayan Cherki against PSG and turned in a second-half performance that stood out on a difficult night.

Maresca called him a “fantastic player” afterwards and highlighted his knack for lifting the level of those around him. That sort of endorsement tends to mean more minutes are coming.

Haaland's Workload

Erling Haaland will be in the squad to face Ipswich, but Maresca acknowledged on Friday that the striker will need a breather at some point. Haaland has had a relentless start to the campaign for club and country, and his two goals against PSG took him to 10 in nine appearances this season.

Resting him is easier said than done when the goals are flowing like that.

Defensive Options

Matheus Nunes could slot in at right-back after he came on for Rúben Dias at the interval in midweek. Maresca has already flagged Dias and Marc Guéhi as players whose minutes will need watching during this congested stretch of the calendar.

With Ipswich visiting and a busy run ahead, the City manager has choices to make — and for once, plenty of them.

The 'Say No' Advice

The advice being aimed at United is simple enough: say no to any notion of signing Haaland and look at two of his Manchester City team-mates instead. That is the shape of the conversation doing the rounds. It is not a transfer rumour so much as a wish list with a byline.

Haaland, of course, plays for City. That is the first and most obvious obstacle. United, for their part, have not been linked with a formal move for him in anything resembling a credible sense. The whole thing reads like a suggestion from the outside looking in — a pundit's hypothetical rather than a negotiation.

The two team-mates in question are not named in the original discussion, which makes the advice even harder to act on. You can tell a club to say no to one thing and yes to two others, but without names it is less a transfer strategy and more a riddle.

What It Actually Says About City

There is a compliment buried in all this, even if it arrives sideways. When the conversation around a rival club starts with 'don't bother with their best player, try these other two instead', it tells you something about the depth of the squad at the Etihad. City do not have one asset worth coveting. They have several.

Whether any of them would be available is a different question entirely, and one the fact list does not answer. The assumption that City would entertain selling to United is doing a lot of heavy lifting in a conversation that has not moved past the suggestion stage.

For now, the transfer window's noise machine has produced another round of hypotheticals. Haaland stays where he is. The two unnamed team-mates stay where they are. And United are being told to say no to something nobody seriously proposed in the first place.

Manchester City's 2026-27 campaign has begun with a run of eight consecutive wins in all competitions, a start that has eased Enzo Maresca into his first season in charge. That sequence ended with a 4-2 defeat to PSG, and now the manager must confront a more familiar problem: keeping his key players fresh through a relentless fixture list.

Speaking to the media yesterday ahead of City's upcoming Premier League fixture against Ipswich Town, Maresca acknowledged that Erling Haaland will need to be rested at some point in the near future. The Norwegian had a busy summer with Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the manager was quick to point out that the issue extends beyond his star striker.

“At some point we probably need to give him rest, some days off,” Maresca said. “We are thinking about this not just with Erling because we have players, unfortunately or fortunately, they are playing all the games with us and all the games with the international teams.”

Maresca went on to name Elliot, Enzo, Marc, Erling and Rúben as players who may need rest, underlining the scale of the juggling act. The fixture list is relentless and there are no easy games, so the temptation to keep his best players on the pitch is understandable.

Fortunately for Maresca, City do have the necessary squad depth to rotate. The challenge will be using it without disrupting the rhythm that produced those eight straight wins. As the season wears on, the manager's ability to manage minutes across a talented but fatigued squad will be tested.

For now, the immediate focus is Ipswich. But the bigger picture is clear: Maresca's first season will be defined as much by his rotation decisions as by his tactics.

The Norwegian will be in the squad for Saturday's visit of Ipswich Town to the Etihad Stadium. That much is clear. What comes next, though, is a matter of management rather than mere availability.

A schedule that takes its toll

Haaland has been a constant for club and country this season, and Maresca knows the workload will eventually catch up with him. The City boss told the club's official website that the striker is one of several players whose minutes need careful handling.

"At some point we probably need to give him rest, some days off," Maresca said.

He named Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernández, Marc Guéhi and Rúben Dias as others in the same boat, all of them regulars for both City and their national teams. The fixture list is unforgiving, and Maresca is already thinking about how to spread the load.

Haaland's numbers make the argument for him. Ten goals in nine appearances this season. A double in Wednesday's 4-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain took him past a significant milestone, making him City's record goalscorer in European competition.

Foden back in contention

Phil Foden is available again after serving a three-match domestic suspension. The England international was an unused substitute against PSG, but his domestic ban is now complete and he is pushing to return to the starting XI.

Maresca said Foden has trained well. A decision will be made over whether he starts against Ipswich, and the City boss even joked that he expects the midfielder to score on Saturday. He also expressed confidence that Foden will make an impact if selected.

City have won all six of their Premier League matches so far. The midweek loss in Europe was their first defeat in eight games, and Ipswich's visit offers an immediate chance to respond. Haaland will be part of the squad. The question is how much of him Maresca uses.