Manchester City

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It's going to be a very interesting next few months as Manchester City and the players will try and figure out what the future will look like individually and collectively.

I don't envision everybody leaving so it'll be interesting to see which players are keen to stay and which ones City decide to keep as well.

You have some players who've missed time with injury - like the likes of John Stones - but these are still pivotal characters, players and personalities within what City have achieved in recent years.

I would never say to offload people just because they have missed some time this year because a lot of players have missed game time this season.

Kevin De Bruyne announcing his departure is a big moment, and I'm sure it's not something he wanted to do but he wants to play more football.

You can't necessarily just replace some of the players who have been so influential for the club across those last few years so I can't think of people who you would say have to be leaving this summer.

The season will never finish for City because of the Club World Cup so it will be interesting to see how they approach it and whether they need new additions for it.

De Bruyne leaves a big hole so I don't think you'd want to be releasing too much talent of that level of influence from the football club if you want to be successful long term.

Some of the players who are out of contract this summer and next summer - Stones, Bernardo Silva, Ederson - are a big part of City's success over the last five, 10 years.

I don't think there is going to be a mass exodus and I don't think the club in a year's time is going to look completely different to what it looks like right now.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward

Manchester City look set to reignite their interest in 27-year-old Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, as they prepare for the departure of 33-year-old Kevin de Bruyne. (UOL esporte - in Portuguese), external

Manchester City are considering making an offer between 50-60m euros (£42-51m) for 26-year-old AC Milan and Netherlands midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, despite him recently signing a new contract until 2030. (Calciomercato - in Italian), external

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

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Manchester City still retain hopes of a trophy in 2024-25 thanks to their run to the FA Cup semi-final, while they remain in the race for Champions League qualification.

But you know your club best and we are looking for you to tell us one thing - good or bad - that nobody seems to be talking about in relation to Manchester City.

Let us know your thoughts here

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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There is always a special anticipation for a derby game. Even when Manchester United and Manchester City are not at their best, the sparks should still be flying. Sadly not this time and although United are marooned at the other end of the table, it was they who deserved the three points, but only just.

There was something sad about watching Pep's men and comparing them with the fabulous dynamic sides of the past. I couldn't even criticise the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and Mateo Kovacic for effort and pure ability but the brilliant flashes that were once regular from each, are much rarer now.

With an average age nearing 33, there was little chance that this midfield was going to run away from anyone. None are famously speedy box-to-box players anyway. At a push, you can get away with maybe one or two like that in the team, but an entire midfield of that age and style just can't work if you want to be the best of the best in the Premier League.

It was most evident when City tried to break with pace. There is an old phrase in football: "He looked like he was towing a caravan… through quicksand". Maybe harsh but the point is clear - the necessary dynamism has faded.

Both sides look like they need major revamping in the summer. Even though City could yet win the FA Cup and finish in the top four, I suspect they still need at least as much restructuring as their massively underachieving opponents across the city.

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Manchester City have announced a freeze on ticket prices for the upcoming season.

The club confirmed on Wednesday that general admission season ticket and Premier League match-by-match ticket prices will be frozen for the 2025-26 campaign.

The announcement comes after recent protests from fans following decisions to increase ticket prices and a new partnership with third-party ticket resale platform Viagogo.

In a statement, Manchester City said the decision comes after consultation with fan engagement programme City Matters.

Joe Bradshaw
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

United boss Ruben Amorim bounced between standing on the balls of his feet like a coiled spring and relentlessly pacing his technical area, constantly barking out instructions and only pausing to drink from his bottle or usher coach Carlos Fernandes forward for both attacking and defensive set-pieces.

Those were the only times he disappeared from the touchline, directing his players through almost every other element of the performance.

While less frenetic on his feet, counterpart Pep Guardiola was equally active - arms thrown wide, head bowed in frustration or whirling his hands to demand more from his players.

When United attacked, Guardiola regularly dropped to his haunches. Occasionally he would return to the dugout to swap thoughts with assistant Juan Manuel Lillo, but barely lasted a minute before coming to the side of the pitch again.

There was one nice moment when Guardiola showed a delicate touch to control a ball out of play, and Amorim touched his hand as a sign of commendation. From one cultured footballer to another, their mutual respect was also obvious in their embrace at the end.

See what all the other managers did

Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, 25, is one of the options Manchester City are considering as a replacement for departing Belgium midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, 33. (Athletic - subscription required, external)

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich and Ajax have sent scouts to watch Manchester City and England Under-18s midfielder Divine Mukasa, 17, although City plan to extend his contract. (Fabrizio Romano, external)

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Freddie Pye
Fan writer

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"Pep Out!" Come on..

In a season that has been full of some of the craziest moments and stories beyond belief at Manchester City - from Erling Haaland and his bout with "Moonbeam" the mascot, to Jack Grealish's jaunt up to the north east for a few pints with locals - the idea that "Pep Out" has become a topic of conversation tops the lot.

It is worth reminding that for all of the challenges, difficulties, injuries and declining standards in performance throughout the course of the season, Manchester City could yet end the season with Champions League qualification via a top-four finish and two pieces of silverware as an FA Cup semi-final awaits.

If you were to ask any Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham or perhaps even Arsenal fan at the start of the season whether they would deem a top-four finish plus an FA Cup and Community Shield success as a positive season, the vast majority would answer "yes" without hesitation.

Manchester City are merely a victim of their own astronomical success over the past seven years, and while it goes without saying that the standards have dropped substantially this season, the idea that Pep Guardiola has not earned the opportunity to rebuild this squad is an outstandingly bad take.

It is simultaneously as fair to suggest that Guardiola himself has had a torrid season on a personal note when it comes to some of his selection decisions and a seemingly unavoidable allegiance to ageing stars in his squad that have given him so much over the course of his Manchester City tenure.

The 54-year-old has also himself admitted that it was his call not to rebuild his side during the most recent summer transfer window - as originally planned by senior club officials. That in itself is an astonishingly bad decision, albeit in hindsight.

But Guardiola still remains the best manager of all-time in the eyes of the majority, and those sorts of figures must be trusted to go again. The very best and most successful in the game also have the best players - that is a fact. Guardiola simply does not have anywhere near the best players right now, and give him the keys to a rebuild and things may be very different.

Rebuild and things do not improve? Well, we could be talking about "Pep Out" in a more serious tone at some stage in the future. For now, trust a master at work. Things will improve.

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On the latest episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, the panel discussed Jack Grealish's role in Pep Guardiola's Manchester City's side.

"I think Grealish has a certain freedom - in the final third, he can do what he likes," says former Premier League striker Chris Sutton.

Former City midfielder Michael Brown added: "It is all about the structure and the state of the players. Other players like [Jeremy] Doku have the license [to have freedom], [Kevin] De Bruyne had the license too because he could do special things. Grealish is in a structure, that's a fact."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport journalist

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We know Kevin de Bruyne is leaving Manchester City in the summer, but who else might be going - and who should stay?

"It feels like there are going to be big changes right through the squad," former City goalkeeper Shay Given told BBC Sport.

"City fans must have watched Sunday's Manchester derby and been thinking they have no idea what the future will look like - right now, no-one does."

City's lack of physicality in midfield has been a key factor in their decline and it is the area of the team that could see the biggest overhaul.

A fit-again Rodri will surely return as the fulcrum of their side when he recovers from his long-term injury, but who will be alongside him is much less certain.

If there is an overhaul at Etihad Stadium, then it will be with new faces, rather than tactics.

Guardiola is never going to move away from a possession-based playing style and Given feels the old guard can no longer implement an important part of his gameplan.

"A big part of their success down the years under Pep was when they won the ball back quickly, high up the pitch, within a few seconds of losing it," Given said.

"They would peg teams back and not let them out but now teams are getting through them.

"That needs to be rectified. It's something that will come with fresh legs from the people coming in, but that won't solve all the problems City have, because any new signings have to be the highest quality too."

Whatever City's next step is, they will have a new voice shaping their transfer strategy. Txiki Begiristain is leaving in the summer with Hugo Viana replacing him as director of football.

"I am excited to see how he gets on at City but Txiki has left big boots to fill. For a long time City's transfers were brilliant, they hardly put a foot wrong," added Given.

"We are about to find out what Pep's masterplan is too and it will be fascinating to see how he does next season."

Read the full piece on City's probable rebuild

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Former Premier League defender Stephen Kelly spoke to BBC World Service's World Football Podcast about Kevin de Bruyne's legacy at Manchester City:

"De Bruyne has to be one of the most complete midfielders we have seen in the Premier League. He was so pivotal to that City team being at its best and it's telling that City have dropped off dramatically as he has been injured and missed games. They've not been the same without him and it has made a huge impact in how City have progressed this season.

"It's a big job to replace De Bruyne. Phil Foden was pegged to replace him - he was PFA Player of the Year and everyone thought this was the time for him to fill De Bruyne's boots. He is someone who can pick passes, score goals and influence the team but he's dropped off as well.

"De Bruyne was consistent every week and his standard was so high - to find a player like that is almost impossible."

Listen to the full discussion on De Bruyne on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Manchester United and Manchester City.

Here are some of your comments:

Andy: A shambolic performance against poor opposition. United's tactics were known before kick-off, yet we picked a team that would be easily contained. It was nonsensical to continue with Ruben Dias walking out of defence with the ball. Substitutions made us worse - what was Jeremy Doku told to do? Not once did he attack his full-back. I was a strong advocate that Jack Grealish should start, but when he came on, he continually threw himself to the ground. Immensely disappointing!

Mike: Absolutely awful. We were lucky United couldn't finish. Based on this performance, I predict we will finish seventh. Newcastle, Chelsea and Aston Villa are all better than us.

Brian: Derby games are always full of nerves. This was cautious in the extreme and United had the better chances in a dull, uninspiring game. But City kept a clean sheet and held their nerve at the back. Guardiola also played for a draw. Overall, a result we would have taken at any stage in any previous season.

Gene: Overall, a flat performance in a must-win situation against the across-town rivals who haven't shown much this season. The introduction of pace was too late and there's still a lack of creativity. While the defence is improving, the offense is still spluttering.

Sean: Very disappointed as thought United were there for the taking. We lacked creativity and we lacked width, obviously missing Erling Haaland was a blow but we must make sure we qualify for Champions League next season. I'm expecting a new team next season with lots of ins and outs in the summer. We have got an ageing squad so that must be sorted.

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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For Manchester City, the journey to their preferred destination is far easier to navigate than for neighbours Manchester United - and there is more belief in Guardiola to keep everyone on the right path.

Yet, for them too there are hazards, not least in the unknowns.

By his own admission, he kept faith in too many of his long-serving players last summer. That will not happen again.

We already know Kevin de Bruyne is leaving but there are questions over plenty of others in his squad, not all of them fringe, injured or unwanted players.

The futures of Jack Grealish, Bernardo Silva and Ederson, all involved against United, have to be determined.

Juventus full-back Andrea Cambiaso and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz are mentioned most frequently as likely additions to Guardiola's squad - but there will probably be more than two new faces.

Clearly, who they can sign will be impacted by the outcome of the hearing into the 115 charges of alleged Premier League financial rule breaches. Guardiola cannot control that situation.

City's status and the pull of the manager will ensure they remain an attractive proposition even if they fail to qualify for next season's Champions League.

However, it would be a blow to his pride if, for the first time in his senior managerial career, he fails to take a team into the elite club competition.

Not that he is thinking so far ahead.

Read more from Simon on the Manchester derby here

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's four Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from the rest of the weekend.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch Saturday's Match of the Day here.

Listen back to the weekend's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Crystal Palace 2-1 Brighton

• Aston Villa 2-1 Nottingham Forest

• Fulham 3-2 Liverpool

• Man Utd 0-0 Man City