Guardiola’s contract situation still lingers, as does a possible points deduction should Man City be found guilty of Profit & Sustainability Rules breaches that they vehemently deny. Those are two pretty emphatic-looking endings on the horizon, but beyond that is a squad looking increasingly lopsided and old.

After the international break, City face Tottenham and Liverpool. The big question is how quickly injured players can get back up to speed

Pep Guardiola issued the exact opposite of a positive injury update just 24 hours before Manchester City faces Brighton at American Express Stadium.