Why Man City academy players have started this season with extra motivation

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola had Manchester City fans wondering if the squad had been hit by a serious Covid-19 outbreak in his post-match interview last night.The Blues boss was asked about his team’s display in the 3-0 win at Burnley and gave a stock answer about the team playing well and how important it was to keep a clean sheet after the 5-2 home defeat by Leicester.But he then added: “We are still far away from our best because we’re not training much.

straight to your inbox Enzo Maresca was forced to delay his start as Manchester City's new EDS head coach this season due to quarantine restrictions but has wasted no time making his mark on the academy. The former player and assistant is an interesting choice to replace Paul Harsley and probably the most high profile appointment since Patrick Vieira seven years ago.

straight to your inboxRoy Keane accused Manchester City's players of lacking 'hunger and desire' after their shock defeat by Leicester City.Pep Guardiola's side succumbed to a 5-2 loss to the Foxes on Sunday and currently find themselves six points off top spot in the Premier League - albeit with a game in hand on the early pace-setters.

straight to your inbox Liverpool have written to Manchester City to apologise after former manager Roy Evans made an offensive remark on commentary during an Under-18s game. The two clubs went up against each other on Saturday and it was an excellent 3-1 victory for the Blues under the new management of Carlos Vicens, with young striker Tai Sodje netting a hat-trick before the home team scored a late consolation.

straight to your inbox Pep Guardiola claims his response to Manchester City 's worst home defeat for 17 years was to remind them how good they are. City fell apart after dominating Leicester early in their Premier League meeting, and taking the lad through a stunning Riyad Mahrez strike.

straight to your inbox Kalidou Koulibaly is set to stay at Napoli this summer despite Manchester City's transfer interest, according to sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli. Despite already signing Bournemouth's Nathan Ake,Pep Guardiola has been hoping to add another quality centre-back to his ranks and Koulibaly has been the top target throughout the summer.

straight to your inbox Manchester City fans are disappointed that Eric Garcia has started against Leicester City, and are also gutted that Liam Delap has been left on the bench. City's taxing first week of the season will come to an end today with a match against Brendan Rodgers' side at the Etihad Stadium and they will be hoping to continue their winning start to the campaign.

straight to your inbox John Stones misses his second Manchester City game of the week after not being deemed fit enough for the matchday squad against Leicester City. The English defender started alongside Nathan Ake on Monday night against Wolves as Pep Guardiola's side got their season off to an excellent start with a 3-1 win at Molineux.

straight to your inbox Pep Guardiola has named Raheem Sterling up front to face Leicester City in the absence of Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero. The Manchester City boss had admitted before the game that he had just 13 fit players to pick from, and his team selection against Leicester showed just how thin his options are.

straight to your inboxHere are the Manchester City evening headlines on Friday 25 September.Jamie Bynoe-Gittens has left Manchester City’s academy and followed in the footsteps of Jadon Sancho by signing for Borussia Dortmund."Jamie Bynoe-Gittens has joined us, and we are delighted to have him in our youth set-up. He will initially play with the Under-19s," Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc said shortly after the announcement."Our scouting department have done a fantastic job.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola has warned his Manchester City players that he will not allow their stunted pre-season, or subsequent injury crisis, to be used as an excuse.The Blues face early Premier League leaders Leicester in their opening home match on Sunday, with the manager saying they have just 13 fit senior players due to injury and positive Covid-19 tests.City’s pre-season was disrupted more than anyone else apart from Manchester United, who also started a week later due to

straight to your inbox Dortmund are "delighted" with the signing of Jamie Bynoe-Gittens from Manchester City's academy but do not want to raise expectations too early. The Bundesliga club have announced the arrival of the talented teenager, who joined City at Under-14 level from Reading and made his Under-18 debut aged just 15 but decided that he had better prospects of first team football by following the Jadon Sancho path.

straight to your inboxManchester City's injury crisis will last until after the international break next month.Pep Guardiola revealed that Bernardo Silva, Joao Cancelo and Aleks Zinchenko have all joined Sergio Aguero in the physio room and are set to miss league games against Leicester and Leeds.

straight to your inboxManchester City head into the 2020/21 season with several questions to answer.Pep Guardiola's side will be looking to regain their Premier League title from Liverpool while also maintaining their strong records in the domestic cups and trying to finally break their duck in the Champions League.There are new arrivals hoping to make their mark in the squad while others need to show why they deserve to be included in the club's plans for success.

straight to your inbox Manchester City EDS were beaten 2-1 by Blackburn on Friday night after goalkeeper James Trafford was shown a straight red card in injury time. The young City team started well at Leyland and James McAtee gave them an early lead with a fine run and finish past the keeper from outside the box.

straight to your inboxManchester City star Kevin De Bruyne says players across the Premier League must speak up if they are struggling with fatigue, both physically and mentally, this season. The COVID-19 pandemic delayed the conclusion of the 2019/20 season and meant that countless players across the English top flight had less than three weeks off before reporting for pre-season training ahead of the 2020/21 campaign.

straight to your inbox Pep Guardiola turned to Manchester City's youngsters to help the first team prepare for their Champions League second-leg with Real Madrid, and the academy has responded in style. City did not have a break between the end of their Premier League campaign and their last-16 showdown with the La Liga champions, but with the manager keen to keep things in-house there were no external friendlies organised.

straight to your inboxManuel Pellegrini spent three seasons as the manager of Manchester City from 2013 to 2016.In that time, the Chilean won a Premier League title and the League Cup twice, but he is probably better known for the big-money players who arrived at the Etihad under his watch.Eliaquim Mangala (£42m), Fernandinho (£34m), Nicolas Otamendi (£32m), Kevin de Bruyne (£57m) and Raheem Sterling (£49m) were all signed while Pellegrini was in charge, but what happened to the 11 players he

straight to your inboxGood evening, Manchester City fans.