Points to ponder as City’s pre-season begins
SERGIO/JESUS PARTNERSHIP Pep Guardiola insists Sergio Aguero is going nowhere this summer.
But his ongoing pursuit of Alexis Sanchez raises further doubts about the Argentine’s future.
He was asked again about Aguero’s position in his first press conference in Houston – and City’s clash with United could tell us much about his plans up front in the coming season.
After initially dropping Aguero for Gabriel Jesus at the turn of the year, the pair struck up a lethal partnership in the final weeks of the season.
Aguero’s performances against West Brom and Watford were hailed by Guardiola as perfection and suggested he could be pivotal to the City manager’s plans.
With Arsenal holding firm over Sanchez, Aguero’s position looks even stronger – and this is an ideal time to make to an early statement. SHAKING OFF THE RING RUST City’s pre-season preparations kick-off with a bang against Jose Mourinho’s side.
United have already had two games on their tour to the US, so would expect to be the sharper of the two sides ahead of the first derby ever to be played outside of the UK.
Guardiola’s players, meanwhile, will be shaking off the ring rust.
Should they win, it would be a significant statement – even if it is ‘only a friendly’ – if such things exist where these two rivals are concerned. PEP VS JOSE As with so many heavyweight clashes, this one failed to live up to expectations last season.
It was supposed to be all about the great rivals living on each other’s doorsteps.
Instead Guardiola’s long-running battle with Mourinho was relegated to a side issue, with Antonio Conte stealing the show and romping to the title.
Both managers expect to have much more of a say in the title race this season – which should put them on a collision course at the top.
This game could be an appetiser to an epic battle. WILL THE REJECTS PLAY? The sight of Samir Nasri and Eliquim Mangala on the plane to the US caught a lot by surprise.
Neither player figures in Guardiola’s long-term plans, so it will be interesting to see if either play any part of the three fixtures over here.
CAN EDERSON SOLVE PEP’S PROBLEM AREA
Guardiola believes Ederson will be City’s answer to Manuel Neuer. No pressure then. Keep an eye for his goal kicks. They’re supposed to be quite monstrous...