Manchester

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Southampton (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Kevin de Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish remain unavailable.

• He said he does not know the timescale for De Bruyne's return and said the injury list "is what it is".

• On playing Southampton, who are second from bottom: "After Champions League games, I prefer to play teams who are better in the table because you focus more and don't look at that. They have the courage to play and are brave with the ball. Wolves were at the bottom and we struggled to win."

• He said he is "not concerned at all" with Phil Foden because he is a "natural, incredible talent" who will navigate the "bump" he is feeling. However, he added: "I am glad to hear he feels good [after scoring against Sparta Prague]."

• In response to how City could go two years unbeaten at home in the league by avoiding defeat against Saints: "It is really good. We are consistent - if we weren't, we wouldn't have won the Premier League so many times. We do our job every single time."

• He praised summer signing Savinho for his work ethic and ambitions: "What I like is that he wants to be the best player on the pitch and to try things. He has courage to participate in everything. He's not scoring goals but he's trying."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Image source, PA Media

Goalkeeper Andre Onana is confident Manchester United will score more goals in future games, after missing opportunities to beat Fenerbahce in the Europa League on Thursday.

The 28-year-old said after the 1-1 draw: "It will come. Everything in life is temporary. It will come - if not today, it will be tomorrow.

"Also we, as defenders, have to take responsibility. We were leading and I start to question myself to do maybe things better - my defenders as well.

"I don't think we have to look at the strikers because they are trying. The chances are there and at the moment the ball is not going in the net, but it will come.

"We lose together. We win together."

Onana has played behind numerous central-defensive pairings this season, with Victor Lindelof partnering Matthijs de Ligt on Thursday, while full-back Noussair Mazraoui operated in a more attacking role in Turkey.

"I have no problem with any of my guys because I have the feeling when you wear this shirt, you have to be able to play each position for them," said the former Inter keeper.

"We had Mazraoui as number 10. I don't know if he wanted to play there, but for the team, you have to take it. And Casemiro did a lot of times last season.

"If I have to play striker, I will do it. So for the team, we have to be able to be pragmatic."

Image source, Getty Images

Why Phil Foden has not started many Premier League games this season is a hot topic.

We are so used to seeing the matchday decisions from Pep Guardiola and the performances on the field, but we do not see the day to day and how players are.

Foden had a virus that took a little longer to recover from than first thought and it was also a tough re-entry back into this season because he did not have a pre-season.

That meant he did not have the opportunity to get some minutes under his belt in a friendly environment after going deep into the summer's Euros with England.

A few players who made the final have not hit the ground running this season the way they should have hoped to - and that includes Foden.

Guardiola can reintroduce him in a manner he feels is right at the moment because the team are still getting results. He is not just playing him because he should be there.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City had 85 touches in Wolves' box in their 2-1 win last Sunday, the most by a team in a Premier League game this season and in an away game on record since 2008-09.

City's overall total of 404 opposition box touches is the most by a team in their opening eight games of a season Opta has on record.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United coach Darren Fletcher has been charged with misconduct following Manchester United's Premier League fixture against Brentford on Saturday.

"It is alleged the coach acted in an improper and/or confrontational manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words towards the fourth official and the referee and/or assistant referees," said a post from FA Spokesperson on X., external

Former United and Scotland midfielder Fletcher has until Tuesday to respond to the charge.

Guess the former Manchester City player from their Premier League statistics at the club:

• Years at club: 2010-2018

• Position: Midfielder

• Appearances: 230

• Goals: 62

Answer will be revealed at 17:00 BST

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Thursday's Europa League game between Fenerbahce and Manchester United.

Here are some of your comments:

Iain: Another very poor performance from this team of misfits. There is no gameplan from the coaching staff or the manager. After two-plus years of abject rubbish, I would love to know about the plan moving forward. All we ever receive are excuses.

Mahir: It was a decent performance in a really tough atmosphere. Everyone - including myself - expected us to crumble. Full credit, we stuck through it and were unlucky not to win. It has been a while since we have seen a controlled match. Good progress, now it's time to get those goals.

Al: Another strange team selection! What on earth is Mazraoui doing in the number 10 role when we have Eriksen at six? Zirkzee is the latest in a long line of flops. It is sad to see this once great club struggling to keep our heads above water against average opposition.

Christine: Ugarte had a great game - he was solid in central midfield and broke most of the attacks up. The team are fluid in parts, but they are still below Premier League levels. Onana was brilliant, even though they scored. The blame fell to Dalot, who did not defend the goal. I keep hoping that we are on the road to better things but, after this display, we have a long way to go.

Krrish: We need this manager to be replaced right now. He is playing the wrong players in the wrong positions, making incorrect substitutions, the list goes on... I have supported Erik ten Hag but he is overthinking it and is confused. We need the change as soon as possible.

Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee could return on loan to Serie A, after netting just one goal in 11 appearances for the Red Devils, with Juventus the most likely destination for the 23-year-old. (Tuttosport via TeamTalk), external

Besiktas are keen on the possibility of taking Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin on loan, with Manchester United, Newcastle United and Arsenal also interested in the England international. (Fotomac in Turkish), external

Meanwhile, United boss Erik ten Hag has expressed an interest in activating a £16m buy-back clause in Spain Under-21 left-back Alvaro Fernandez's contract at Benfica. (Express), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

Erling Haaland is interested in joining Real Madrid when he leaves Manchester City, with the striker's contract expiring in 2027. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish), external

Ipswich Town could terminate Kalvin Phillips' loan deal from Manchester City in the January transfer window, if the midfielder does not get up to speed at Portman Road. (Football Insider), external

Outgoing City director of football Txiki Begiristain is a target for clubs in the Saudi Pro League. (Mail - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

The delight...

Image source, Getty Images

The disappointment...

Image source, Getty Images

And the double saves...

Image source, Getty Images

On a night when Manchester United again failed to win in Europe after taking the lead having won just one of their past eight such games in European competition when scoring first (D5 L2).

Image source, Getty Images

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live: "It was a fantastic game to watch. Erik ten Hag has a depleted squad, but his team have come out here tonight and shown attitude.

"He can take a lot of positives from tonight."

Former Manchester United coach, Rene Meulensteen, added: "Manchester United kept the ball well and Erik ten Hag made some changes which worked well.

"If they look back over that game, with the hostile environment they will be a bit disappointed as the game was there for the taking.

"If it had been a boxing match then Manchester United would have won on points.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag: "Two tough away games. Of course when you are taking the lead, it [drawing] shouldn’t happen.

"We had chances to make a second goal, disappointed not to win. At Old Trafford we have to win games."

On if it was Manuel Ugarte's best performance for United so far: "Yes, I think so. He has to come into the team. The six role is very important. He has to learn how we play. I was happy with his performance today.

On why there was no Amad Diallo from the start: "Away from Europe to start with four attackers is too much. I made him [Mazraoui] a full-back. He was always a number 10. I knew he could fill in with that role, he had a big role in the goal. You can always move him back. Antony is training very good. Amad had some good actions."

On the result: "Fenerbahce are a very good club, with very good fans and some good players. It would be a very good final.

"We should keep the ball better in the first half. We should score more goals but to be honest they also created good chances. They gave us some problems. They are a good team with a good manager. It is not a bad point. But we want to win, we want to win every game."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, speaking to TNT Sports: “It is a big disappointment for me and the fans, for the club, as a Manchester United player you have an obligation to try to win.

"It is what we tried to do today, but we also have to recognise it is a tough place to win.

"We didn’t win, but at least we didn’t lose, Not happy of course, but we move on, take responsibility and go again.

“We had more control than them in the second half and more chances. We conceded an early goal in the second half, we had to show character and I think that is what we did. We didn’t win but I thought we were better than them."

On his superb double save: “The saves are not important, the most important thing is the victory for the team.

"It is nice if I make those kinds of saves and the team wins, [but] it is a big disappointment [to draw]."