Spare a thought for Manchester City midfielder Rodri.
23.09.2022 - 11:11 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
The 2022 World Cup is getting closer, which means that Premier League clubs only have a few matches left before the English top-flight pauses mid-season for an international tournament for the first time in history.
For the final time before the action in Qatar gets underway, players from both the red and blue half of Manchester have embarked on their respective international adventures as they prepare for the upcoming tournament.
Manchester United and Manchester City will face off for the first time this season in the first match back after the international break - with vital Premier League points up for grabs. Pep Guardiola's side are yet to lose this campaign after making a strong start to the season, while Erik ten Hag's men have drastically improved in recent weeks after an underwhelming start.
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Arsenal currently sit at the top of the Premier League table, with City in second position. United - after winning their last four successive matches - find themselves in fifth. Tottenham and Brighton currently occupy the other two Champions League spots, with a number of sides struggling to find their rhythm so far.
Two managers have already found themselves on the managerial chopping board as sacking season is well underway. Scott Parker was the first to go as Bournemouth parted ways with the young coach, before Chelsea made the surprise decision to sack Thomas Tuchel and replace him with Graham Potter.
Ten Hag has been praised for helping the Reds to improve after a disappointing season last term, while Guardiola is hoping to secure another Premier League title after the club's dramatic final-day triumph last
Spare a thought for Manchester City midfielder Rodri.
New Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi has labelled Pep Guardiola the "best coach of all time'" in an interview that could see the Manchester City manager's love affair with the Seagulls continue.
Chelsea manager Graham Potter has already made his feelings on Cristiano Ronaldo clear despite being forced to dead-bat suggestions he wants to sign the Manchester United superstar. Speculation over Ronaldo and his future remains at fever pitch after he failed to secure a desired move away this summer.
Manchester City are preparing themselves for the first derby of the season as Erik ten Hag's United side travel to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
John Stones will miss the Manchester derby with the hamstring injury he picked up with England but Pep Guardiola has been encouraged by Aymeric Laporte's continued progress from injury.
Even the most optimistic figure at Manchester City won't have predicted the impact Ruben Dias has had since joining the club.
Jude Bellingham could snub Manchester City and other Premier League suitors in favour of a big-money switch to Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund - according to reports.
Manchester United have reportedly been boosted in their attempts to sign Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos.
Manchester City centre-back Ruben Dias has admitted it is important to switch the 'club chip' off when players meet up for international duty.
Manchester United have been urged to sign Brentford striker Ivan Toney by former Watford forward Troy Deeney, who believes the Bees man would be a 'success' at Old Trafford.
Manchester City will be hoping for another three points this Saturday before the international break as they travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League.
Chelsea's owner Todd Boehly has confirmed that he wishes to copy the City Football Group model at the London club.
Former Chelsea player Joe Cole has claimed that Manchester United will be "kicking themselves" after Thomas Tuchel's recent departure from his former club.
Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte has returned to first-team training and also dropped a tantalising hint over his prospective comeback. City are set to take on Borussia Dortmund and Wolves in what is shaping up to be an action-packed few days for Pep Guardiola and his team across the main competitions.
It was an unusually busy summer at Manchester City.