Pep Guardiola says his Man City side are "fragile", while they are also labelled "weak" and "frail" after surrendering a 3-0 Champions League lead against Feyenoord at Etihad Stadium.
Man City 'will bounce back'published at 23:28 5 November
23:28 5 November
Image source, Getty Images
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock, Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live: "Manchester City are struggling at the moment. They have got the youngsters playing at the back and that is never easy.
"But then you look at the forward players and there is so much experience within that squad, they should be able to go there and see the game out after they went 1-0 ahead.
"If Erling Haaland scores that penalty then that might change the game. How often do we see him miss penalties? Very, very rarely. A bad night and a bad week for City.
"At some point during the season, Man City will hit top form and we will be looking back thinking, 'do you remember when City had that little blip?'.
"They will bounce back. That is what champions do. They will be stronger and it will be no surprise."
'I want to fight and not give up' - Guardiolapublished at 22:59 5 November
22:59 5 November
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to TNT Sports: "Cannot say much when you lose 4-1. Congratulations to Sporting Lisbon for the game.
"We had a fantastic first half, now we are struggling to score. We create and concede when the opponents don't do much.
"The first half was really good, we scored a goal, but every pass, the simple things we missed sometimes.
"It can happen. After the third and the fourth we have to avoid it. Emotionally we were not stable enough and in this competition you have to be stable. At 2-1, many things can happen. We have to be emotionally more stable.
"It was a very good action for them. They made a good moment, they were fast and scored."
On if defensive changes are a problem: "Maybe. I don't know. When you play lots of games you cannot play the same line up and same back four. We have had these problems from day one but it is what it is.
"Now is the difficult moment in terms of results but I want to be here. I want to fight and not give up, I like this challenge as a manager I have ahead of me. Who wants to follow us will be there.
"It is football. Maybe what we lived in the past is the exception. Sometimes you can lose. We were in the position where they punished us for the few they do and we struggled for the chances we had.
"The first half was almost enough to finish the game and then we were losing 3-1."
Man City 'in a dark place right now' - Silvapublished at 22:48 5 November
22:48 5 November
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva, speaking to TNT Sports: "It's disappointing because we're a bit in a dark place right now. Everything looks to be going in the wrong way.
"Even when we are playing well we don't score our chances and we concede too easily. We definitely need to look inside and check what we're not doing well. And we need to get better very quickly otherwise it will be very difficult to come back from these losses.
"It's football. It's difficult to find reasons for what is happening to us. I don't remember in seven-and-a-half seasons this team losing three games in a row. It just looks like this team is going the wrong way now.
"The good thing is, even though we have lost these three games, we are still in a good position, especially in the Premier League. After losing three games we are still in the main competitions fighting for everything. But we need to better, obviously.
"Our injured players need to come back because we need them and it's just not good enough tonight."
Did you know?published at 22:41 5 November
22:41 5 November
Image source, Getty Images
Since Manchester City's first ever Champions League campaign in 2011-12, no side has missed more penalties in the competition than they have (nine).
'Patience and time will be promised but will they be given?'published at 17:00 5 November
17:00 5 November
Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty Images
Are Manchester United, united? Hammering Leicester then drawing at home to Chelsea might be seen as some improvement on Erik ten Hag's time, but it tells us very little. The club hasn’t taken off yet, indeed this is nothing more than a holding pattern until Ruben Amorim lands.
They haven’t even tried to play in Amorim’s style yet. Ruud van Nistelrooy kept to the tried-and-tested back four instead of the back three which will be the new normal at Old Trafford. I thought the new Ineos regime had finally started for real when Ten Hag left, but in reality it hasn’t.
So what has to be done differently to get the club back to where the fans think it should be? Obviously getting the best out of the players already there is high on the agenda. The employment of tactics that suit the available players will help.
Clearly a better hit rate from the acquisitions department is essential, there have been too many players bought for too much money who have had limited effect.
There are lots of big jobs but maybe the toughest will be giving the new coach the time to change things. He changed Sporting quickly, but the Primeira Liga isn’t the Premier League and this is a much bigger task.
Patience and time will be promised but will they be given? That more than anything else is what is important now.
Improving from their current league position will not be too difficult in the short term. Becoming top four challengers may take an entire season, at the very least, even for the highest-rated young coach in the business.
'You don’t want to turn a blip into a crisis'published at 17:00 5 November
17:00 5 November
Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City lost to both Bournemouth and Spurs in the space of four days, which begs the question, has the bubble burst for the champions? One league defeat in 11 months is probably not a reason to press any panic buttons and neither is a defeat in the least important domestic competition.
There are however other underlying concerns that have become apparent since the Champions League games started. In the last nine domestic games, there have been five City wins, but not one has been by more than a single goal.
City are used to steamrolling teams, keeping easy possession and frequently cantering to victory. That hasn’t happened lately. That could be because they are missing Rodri, who has been unavailable for eight of those games, as well as Kevin de Bruyne who has been out too. De Bruyne wasn’t even risked from the bench against Bournemouth even when they were desperate to get an equaliser in the final 10 minutes.
Pep, though trying to deflect to some degree, is clearly struggling with an injury and fitness crisis that doesn’t look like ending any time soon.
There is another concern nagging at the back of his mind. Erling Haaland is the main man and although they have survived without his goals before when he has been out, there is a feeling that if he got another injury now that would have a catastrophic effect.
City already have seven points out of nine in the Champions League campaign, so it might be tempting to rest their star striker against Sporting for at least part of the game. They will probably qualify anyway and if he is to be needed it is more likely to be in upcoming ties against Juventus and Paris St-Germain. You don’t want to turn a blip into a crisis.
🎧 'We need more from Bruno'published at 15:20 5 November
15:20 5 November
Image source, Getty Images
BBC Radio Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater thinks it is time for Bruno Fernandes "to right some of those wrongs," after the midfielder revealed he apologised and felt responsible for Erik ten Hag's sacking.
Speaking about Fernandes' comments on the latest episode of BBC Radio Manchester's The Devils' Advocate podcast, Drinkwater said: "There's a part of me that is like 'fair enough' but there's also another part that says 'why's this taken a few days to do this?' I'm surprised it's not just come out instantly on social media.
"I don't know what to make of it. We were calling on Erik ten Hag to take more ownership after some performances and Bruno Fernandes has taken ownership - he does feel responsible.
"But, now with a new man coming in, who he is going to know very well because he watches Sporting week in, week out because they're his team - maybe it's a chance to right some of those wrongs.
"A lot of people would say do you're talking on the pitch rather than these pointless statements and apologies.
"He has not been doing it this season. I don't doubt him, I think he's United's best player - but we need more from him."
'There comes a point when age does catch up'published at 12:29 5 November
12:29 5 November
Freddie Pye Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
There is absolutely no doubt in anyone's mind that Kyle Walker has been one of the all-time great right-backs to grace the Premier League. That is beyond debate and his legacy in the English top flight should be celebrated.
This is a player who has revolutionised the art of defending from the right, won everything there is to win in the game, continues to be praised by his colleagues and opponents, and remains an exemplary physical wonder given his age.
However, there comes a point for every top-level professional when age catches up and you can start to see declines in the ability to perform the way they have been known to over many years.
This is the stage we are at now with the Manchester City defender and there is no hiding from that fact.
Injury struggles over recent weeks are emerging and his inability to consistently train alongside team-mates may also be a reflection of that.
By all means, Walker can still do a job. That goes without saying. His vast experience and knowledge of the game is invaluable, but these are very specific matches that he should be called up for - contests where City have more of the ball away from their own goal.
Opponents that boast fast attackers and flair forwards should no longer call for Walker, as showcased against Fulham and most recently Bournemouth, in particular.
Individual battles against Adama Traore and Antoine Semenyo have indicated that the end is likely near for Walker, who would more often than not ensure that neither of those players would get anywhere near him in a one-against-one foot race, perhaps as recently as a year ago.
But with Rico Lewis available as Pep Guardiola's only other right-back solution, does the City manager even have the option of phasing Walker out? Perhaps not.
Nevertheless, celebrate the art of the England international, appreciate his outstanding contributions to the football club over the greatest period in its history, marvel at his legacy within the Premier League as arguably the division's greatest-right-back, but be open to the fact that we are seeing a steady decline in his performance levels and ability to compete at the most intense level of the game.
'Ten Hag sanctioned one of the signings of the summer' published at 12:19 5 November
12:19 5 November
Alex Turk Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Erik ten Hag's recruitment record won't be among the things for which he will be remembered fondly at Manchester United.
The Dutchman's tendency to disregard alternative targets in favour of reunions from his time in the Netherlands worked to his detriment at Old Trafford.
But among his final acts as the club's manager, Ten Hag sanctioned one of the signings of the summer. United's capture of Noussair Mazraoui in a deal worth up to £17m looks like a masterstroke.
Mazraoui wasn't considered the central focus when he arrived in Manchester, but a shrewd add-on in the agreement that brought Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich.
Yet the 26-year-old has been one of the few shining lights in a dismal start to the season. In the wake of Ten Hag's coup de grâce, Mazraoui shone brightest against Chelsea.
United have plucked out a bargain defender who possesses pace, is progressive on the ball and can pocket pesky wingers.
On Sunday, his five completed take-on tally was the highest in a single game among defenders in the Premier League this season.
A 92 per cent pass accuracy, 13 of 16 duels won, six tackles, six final third entries, two interceptions, two clearances and two fouls won defined a stand-out showing.
Mazraoui is made all the more valuable by his ability to do a job on either side of United's defence, especially since the detrimental lack of a left-back has become the norm.
As Ruben Amorim prepares to take the reins in M16, Mazraoui is among the players who should be stimulated by the prospect of featuring in the 39-year-old's 3-4-3 system.
Even when Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia overcome their continued injury agony, it is difficult to imagine a reality where the Moroccan loses his starting status.
Majority of fans eye new stadiumpublished at 12:12 5 November
12:12 5 November
Image source, Getty Images
The majority of Manchester United fans involved in a wide-reaching survey would prefer the club to build a new stadium rather than redevelop Old Trafford.
The club has announced that findings from an initial stage of fan consultation show 90% are positive about the ambition to deliver a world class stadium within a regeneration project across a wider area.
However, 52% of respondents from the survey - which over 50,000 fans took part in - would prefer the club to move to a new-build stadium.
Around 31% wanted the redevelopment of the club's current ground to be pursued instead, while 17% were unsure.
Is tiredness a 'mindset issue'?published at 09:06 5 November
09:06 5 November
Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton believes tiredness "is a mindset" and Manchester City should not use that as an excuse for their defeat by Bournemouth.
The result marked the end of the club's 32-game unbeaten streak in the top flight.
'He changed the playing paradigm of Sporting' - Silva on 'rival' Amorimpublished at 08:16 5 November
08:16 5 November
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City's Bernardo Silva says they will only "worry" about Ruben Amorim becoming head coach of Manchester United when he is in the post.
The boss of Sporting - who faces City in his penultimate game in charge of the Portuguese champions on Tuesday - will take over at Old Trafford on 11 November.
Silva was team-mates with Amorim at Benfica in 2013-14 and said: "He always showed he could read the game because he played different positions - as a defender, on the left, as a midfield player.
"When he arrived Sporting hadn't been champions for 20 years. He changed the playing paradigm of Sporting. They are the best team in Portugal by far.
"He will be a rival but I am glad someone else from Portugal is in the best league in the world.
"When Ruben becomes coach of Manchester United, we will worry about that then. Right now we want three points to get to the top eight."
Gossip: Man City target 17-year-old Sporting wingerpublished at 07:33 5 November
07:33 5 November
Manchester City are keen on 17-year-old Sporting winger Geovany Quenda, with the Portugal Under-21 international also interesting Manchester United, Liverpool and Juventus. (Teamtalk), external
Image source, Getty Images
