Toure of duty draws to close

IT WAS just like old times for Yaya Toure last night.

He was the main man again at the Etihad, the captain issuing orders for Manchester City.

But there will be no return to the good old days for Toure (above).

Having survived Pep Guardiola’s summer cull of thirtysomethings, he has been left on the periphery of City’s young, slick side.

They jokingly call him “Uncle Yaya” and, at 34, he is twice the age of City’s latest young hope, Phil Foden.

Despite defeat to Basel, Toure put in a shift. But he is part of City’s past and his era, as glorious as it has been, is ending.

The Ivorian, City’s only Champions League winner, probably knows that, but will be there if needed.

With a Premier League to seal and a Champions League to win, he would love to go out with a bang... not a whimper.