LAM09

City are normally slow starters, but things seemed to be different this season, having won 8 out of their first ten games. However, the prospect of losing four matches in a row would be a first for Pep in his managerial career and raise some questions for the first time since 16/17.

This kind of decision might have been understandable a few years ago, when players in European competition were cup-tied. However, this no longer applies. A year wasted entirely because of money in the end.

I feel if Palmer isn't fit to start, Felix will take his place. With regards to Noni, I think it's time he starts on the bench for a bit, as he's literally been coasting since Wolves away.

Apoel with a surprise win over Fiorentina. There's surely no chance they'll reach a third successive final, right? The fact there's no drop downs from the EL makes it an easier task on paper than previous years as well.

We did lose to Servette, tbh. I know it's earlier days, but as I said prior to the draw, if we don't win the whole thing (which would be history in the making), it would be a massive failure.

Great way to improve confidence levels ahead of Sunday. I had hoped he would have seen more playing time prior to now based on that. Hopefully, he will start our remaining group games.

Nice to see Guiu being alert. It would be useful to have another CF available to us.

I don't see Marmoush following that trend. He's been improving most parts of his game (scored two FK winners in the past week) and just looks perfect for the EPL. Liverpool might want to line him up with his fellow countryman.

Osimhen with a quick fire brace against Tottenham. It will be interesting to see what actually ends up happening with him. With PSG's dire position in the CL, I can imagine them signing him on loan in Jan.

I think the only club that would be willing to offer anything close to what we paid would be PSG.

We had a change of manager on both occasions. That had a huge influence. Ancelotti stated that he was pleased with his squad, so I don't see them doing much business in January unless it's in a few to future seasons (similar to Endrick, Guler, etc). As numerous posters have mentioned, they chose to disregard the glaringly evident deficiencies in defence, believing that Mbappe alone was sufficient. The fact Guler & Endrick didn't play a single minute last night was very bizarre especially considering how the game was going.

Change isn't welcomed by people, that's why. Madrid's defence isn't going to magically transform itself, so they'll be vulnerable defensively at any point. Their saving grace is that Bellingham and Mbappe can't get much worse. The former has been dire since the CL final.

When the CL change was announced, people said, "If it ain't broke," but I have to admit, it's been a breath of new air thus far. It implies that every game counts, and you don't have to worry about aggregate ties ending 10+. If anyone watched the two games they won, you'd know they were lucky to have no lost them as well. Fonseca might give Leao a few more starts. He's a promising player. 😄

It's a shame that he left Benfica over five years ago and still hasn't taken his game to the next level. He's 25 in a couple of days, so time isn't necessarily on his side at this point. For everyone's sake, I hope some stability will do him good & allow him to finally flourish (wishful thinking, I know).

I was mainly referring to times when we don't have the ball. He's a passenger in such situations.

I'd imagine the sell-on fee was similar to the buy-back clause that was rumoured. There was certainly a lot of hype surrounding him after he won the Golden Ball at the U-20 World Cup, which prompted Liverpool to snap him up. It was seemingly too much for him at the time, as he suffered a similar fate.

Personally, I believe Palmer is wasted out on the wing, but I've observed what you've described in recent weeks along with his eagerness to try and create something on his own. Felix is a weird one; it may work wonders against weaker teams; yet, against the best, I worry we'd be playing with one man down from the start, which we can't afford for a variety of reasons.

Neto can play there with ease and seems like a nailed on starter out wide. It's a battle between the other three (Noni, Mudryk, & Sancho) for a spot.

Awful character traits combined with subpar football ability. Neither of which we want at this club.

Any bit of composure sees us with a quick fire double. I continue to scratch my head wondering what Enzo offers/excels at.

Great strike! He's been the general in midfield.

One simple ball causes us this much trouble. Only United's NINTH PL goal this season. Offered nothing going forward.

Aside from Palmer, we've hardly offered any threat despite United being there for a taking. We must score soon or a chance similar to Rashford's will fall to them again, and we all know the rest.

I was going to mention him as well, but I'd imagine Gusto would have been another roadblock for him. If you want to look at it in another way, though, Gusto probably would have been at Newcastle instead of Tino.

It's a slight shame more weren't given a chance during their time here. I'm sure Hall would have stayed if it weren't for our margins.