'Nothing quite like City' - fan storiespublished at 16:32 BST 6 August
16:32 BST 6 August
This week, we are asking you to share your stories and photos for why you fell in love with City.
Here is a selection of your submissions:
Image caption,
Robin: Back in 1998, we were visiting friends in Leeds and popped into Maine Road on the way home to buy a tracksuit.
I asked in the store if there was anywhere to get hot water to warm my daughter's bottle and they rang the main reception where we were told to go and see the doorman. He took us all into the trophy room and supplied the water. I got a tour of the stadium, the Gallaghers' box, met Peter Barnes and Willie Donachie.
What a club. Been a fan since 1967 and always will be.
Alun: It was 1967 - I was at a Hertfordshire school and it all tended to be Spurs and Arsenal fans, maybe Manchester United. I saw Joe Mercer interviewed after watching City highlights, presumably on Match of the Day. He was really down to earth and quietly confident. I just wanted to be different so I decided to support City.
I tracked every match in a scrapbook for years. Some good years to start and then the many difficult times. I got to games when older. I have been hooked for life. There is nothing like City.
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Simon: Supported them since 1976 when we won the League Cup with a great goal from Dennis Tueart. Been through the heartache of losing the FA Cup in 1981 to that special Ricky Villa goal but enjoying it now, especially seeing Manchester United struggle.
My wife is treating me with a trip to the stadium and fanzone in two years time when I will be 60.
Who does Opta's Supercomputer put in the title race?published at 11:51 BST 6 August
11:51 BST 6 August
Opta's Supercomputer has once again predicted the upcoming 2025-26 Premier League season by using a model to simulate every match 10,000 times.
Image source, Opta
Last season promised a thrilling title race between Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool - but in the end it was anything but.
Arne Slot was given just a 5.1% chance of winning the Premier League in his debut season, but expectations are far higher now.
Despite major changes - including the departures of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luis Diaz, and the tragic loss of Diogo Jota - Liverpool have rebuilt with the signings of Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, and Hugo Ekitike.
The Opta supercomputer now makes them title favourites, winning in 28.5% of simulations.
Arsenal have finished runners-up for three straight seasons. This could be their moment, especially with Viktor Gyokeres finally giving Mikel Arteta a true number nine. Their title odds have nearly doubled to 24.3%, though another second-place finish remains the most likely outcome.
City were aiming for a historic fifth consecutive title but stumbled, largely due to Rodri's long-term injury. With him fit again, Pep Guardiola will demand a return to form. Their supercomputer-backed chances have dropped sharply this season however, - from 82.2% to just 18.8%.
Fresh off a Club World Cup win, Chelsea are aiming for their first league title since 2017. Enzo Maresca's young side has potential, but consistency is the big question.
They win the league in 8.8% of sims, with another fourth-place finish considered the most likely.
'Definitely come back with fire in our bellies' - Stonespublished at 10:59 BST 6 August
10:59 BST 6 August
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City defender Joe Stones says the club is determined to bounce back this season after a "humbling" 2024-25 campaign.
Pep Guardiola's side finished third in the Premier League, missing out on a fifth consecutive title and falling short of their own lofty standards.
"It was humbling for us after all the success that we've had," said the England defender. "It makes us realise what we've done and how proud we should be, but we're obviously frustrated at what we did last season.
"It's not what we want to replicate."
City ended the campaign 13 points behind champions Liverpool and three behind Arsenal, and Stones believes the squad is motivated to put things right.
"We've definitely come back with that fire in our bellies to go and achieve," he said. "We've got to get back to our identity, winning matches and having that presence about us."
The 31-year-old is fit again after an injury-hit season and says speculation around his future was never a distraction.
"It's laughable to me," he said of rumours linking him with a move away from Etihad Stadium. "I love it here. I'm here to fight and play and hopefully win some trophies."
The squad has undergone further evolution this summer with the additions of Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Tijjani Reijnders, who featured during the Club World Cup campaign.
Their arrivals follow January signings Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis.
"Football evolves, and the guys that have come in have been great," Stones added. "It takes time to adapt, but I'm excited to play with them and see what they do."
'Everyone wants to make up for last season' - Fodenpublished at 07:57 BST 6 August
07:57 BST 6 August
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City's Phil Foden says he wants to continue "getting back" to his "very high level" after an uncharacteristically difficult Premier League campaign in 2024-25.
"I think everyone wants to make up for last season, we all want to come to our best and winning titles," the 25-year-old told BBC Sport.
"We have got a lot of experience in the dressing room. With Bernardo [Silva] being captain, hopefully he can push the lads on. We have got all the experience and we have done it before.
"That's a positive - you know and what it takes so hopefully we can get back there."
After being named the Premier League Player of the Season for the 2023-24 campaign, Foden only registered seven goals and two assists in the league.
However, he looked more comfortable during the summer Club World Cup in the USA - managing three goals and an assist in four games even as City were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Al-Hilal.
"I thought I was much better at the Club World Cup and my performances definitely got better from the season before," Foden said.
"I want to continue getting back to my level, which is very high. You just have to put the work in training and believe in yourself.
"I am not sure where the manager sees me this year, I can play in different positions but we all know my position is the insides, in the pockets, so let us see what happens.
"I am not here to replicate what Kev (de Bruyne) did because we all know how good he was and what he did for the club.
"It is about trying my best, getting to the level where I won Player of the Year. You can only train and get back to it - that is what I am trying to do."
Rodri and Grealish take part in open training sessionpublished at 19:13 BST 5 August
19:13 BST 5 August
Shamoon Hafez BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City have been boosted by the return of key midfielder Rodri following an injury picked up at the Club World Cup.
The Ballon d'Or winner came on as a second-half substitute in the shock last-16 defeat by Al-Hilal, but left the pitch early in extra time.
Manager Pep Guardiola said afterwards the player "complained about his situation", which was thought to be a minor groin issue.
But the 29-year-old took full part in Tuesday's open training session at Joie Stadium and appears to be fit for the Premier League season-opener at Wolves on 16 August.
Midfielder Jack Grealish was left out of the squad for the Club World Cup and, during that period, he has been working individually at City's training ground.
The club invited supporters to watch the training session and Grealish was part of the group being put through their paces.
The 29-year-old is said to be of interest to Everton but sources say City are yet to receive any offers for the England international.
Meanwhile, there was an interesting observer in former Wolves and Bournemouth manager Gary O'Neil, who was sitting in the dugout during the session.
Asked by BBC Sport why he was there, O'Neil said he was "spending the day with Guardiola" and talking through "a few things".
'My family were involved in making City's kit' - fan storiespublished at 16:02 BST 5 August
16:02 BST 5 August
We know the relationship between a football fan and their club is a special one so, as we gear up for the new season, we asked you to share why you fell in love with Manchester City and some of your favourite moments supporting them.
Here are some of your submissions:
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Tim: My grandfather Harold Humphreys set up Umbro and City were the first kit they made!
My uncle John Humphreys was one of City's directors in the 70s. I followed City all over the country with my father Stuart, who was chairman of Umbro at the time.
I had a season ticket right until I left to live in Australia in 2007. Despite being on the other side of the world, I still get up and watch every game live. This is a photo of my father presenting Brian Marwood with the man of the match award when Arsenal drew with City in 1990.
Marcel: I was born just 400 yards from Maine Road. I was in Trafford house at Chorlton Grammar School and I made sure to play in goal rather than play in red, which were my house colours!
My hero was Bert Trautmann. I worshipped him, collecting his autograph dozens of times, and I used to spend most of my school holidays watching them train.
Now I live in Torquay and my age, health and finances mean that I have only been to the Etihad once. I have to say that it was nowhere near the magic of the legendary Maine Road. Memories of wonderful days (and nights)!
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Imran: As a doctor, when I moved from India to the UK, I applied for my GMC licence, which was through an appointment, and it ended up clashing with my first in stadium game - City v Chelsea.
It was an easy decision to make. I politely asked for another GMC appointment, which was the week after, and I went to the match. It was lucky because someone in the seat next to me told me to apply for a season ticket, as the Etihad was expanding and had availability.
I did that and I have been a proud season card holder ever since, despite moving to Canada a couple of years back.
Football provides 'connections' in 'increasingly lonely' worldpublished at 11:49 BST 5 August
11:49 BST 5 August
Nicola Pearson BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
'Why did you fall in love with your club?'
This week, we have asked hundreds of football fans across the world that very question and got hundreds of different answers.
Yes, the themes might be similar - born near a ground; family supported the team; watched a certain player - but the individual story will be unique to each supporter.
The relationship between a fan and their club should not be underestimated, with people ploughing uncountable amounts of money, time and emotional energy into their support for their team.
But what is that makes us love our clubs the way we do?
"A lot of it comes down to our identity," researcher and co-writer of the Routledge Handbook of Sport Fans and Fandom Danielle Sarver Coombs told BBC Sport.
"We become part of this group that means so much to us. It becomes a way to find a community that you're a part of and to find a group of people that, no matter where you are, you could find a pub with other fans of your team. You have that kinship.
"In a world that's increasingly quite lonely, this provides one of the ways that we can have connections so we can have the feeling that we're part of something bigger."
Connection and identity plays a big role in someone's love for their club - particularly when it is a family link.
Many fans talk of being born into who they support - that the connection is so strong there was no other team they could, or would, have chosen.
"The great thing with football is that there's such a strong heritage component to it," Sarver Coombs said. "Often, your grandfather, father, mother or whomever was a fan of the team, so it's part of your family's tradition.
"It's handed down from generation to generation."
The uniqueness of football fandom is something researchers are increasingly investigating.
An article, external published earlier this year in psychology journal Frontiers discusses how football fans often follow follow teams with 'significant attachment and commitment, sometimes to the bewilderment of those outside of the game'.
"With football clubs, you have decades of tradition that you can tap into and it's going to keep coming," Sarver Coombs added.
"Players come and go, managers come and go, shirts change, badges change, but the club itself - the heart and soul of it remains constant. You always have that piece that you're tied to, so the longevity of clubs is a really important part.
"But also, that constant in-person opportunity to be present in a community space really sets football apart from other passions that may be transient or do not have that constant engagement."
How Man City are evolving to be more like Klopp's Liverpoolpublished at 13:21 BST 4 August
13:21 BST 4 August
Alex Keble Football tactics writer
Former Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders joined Manchester City in June, and his arrival demonstrated a shift in the style of Pep Guardiola's football.
Nevertheless Lijnders, like Klopp, is far more concerned than Guardiola with aggressive, high-octane attacking football and the opportunities that open up when the ball changes hands - and that seems to be how City are evolving.
Comparing their 2023-24 to 24-25 campaigns, City's possession share dropped from 65.5% to 61.3% while their total number of fast breaks jumped from 22 to 30, a rise of 36%.
Most prominently, we saw more long balls from Ederson to bypass the opposition high press and more direct dribbling through the lines from January signing Omar Marmoush.
Marmoush, by the looks of things, was the first signing of Man City 2.0: the rebuild that will shift Pep Guardiola, Pep Lijnders and City into a more Klopp-like direction. More players in that mould have since followed.
Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders have arrived from Lyon and AC Milan respectively and both signings, like Marmoush, point to more carrying of the ball through the lines and fewer neatly choreographed passing triangles.
To put it more simply, Cherki, Reijnders, and Marmoush are the kind of players who prefer to ride the rhythm.
The data here is stark.
Compared with Man City's three most commonly used central midfielders in 2024-25, Cherki, Reijnders, and Marmoush scored considerably higher for 'progressive carries' (a carry of the ball at least five metres towards the opponent's goal) and 'attempted dribbles'.
'I did my school entrance exam on Bert Trautmann!' Fan storiespublished at 11:55 BST 4 August
11:55 BST 4 August
We know the relationship between a football fan and their club is a special one so, as we gear up for the new season, we asked you to share why you fell in love with Manchester City and some of your favourite moments supporting them.
Here are some of your submissions:
Image caption,
Alan: I grew up in Withington, south Manchester. I was the youngest child in a family of Reds, but my - sort of neutral - dad used to take me to City. It was closer to us and I was hooked, in spite of the grim times through the late 70s, 80s and 90s. We deserve our last 13 years of success.
Ken: Back in the 1950s, my father took me to my first football match at Old Trafford. When we arrived home, l was very upbeat and wanted to go again the following Saturday. My father explained that United only played at home every other week. l told my father that another Manchester team - Manchester City - were playing at home next week. "We don't go there" he replied.
But the following week, he came home with two tickets for the main stand, given to him by a work colleague. I think it was Man City v West Brom and it was dire and very one-sided, with West Brom laying siege to City's goal. But Bert Trautmann was in inspired form. In the second half, City got on the break and scored to win the match 1-0.
He became my sporting hero and he was the subject I chose for my entrance exam to Stretford technical college, when I was 13 years old. The task was to write about your sporting hero, so it's the easiest exam I've ever taken.
I was lucky enough to meet Bert in the Platt Lane stand many years later. I introduced myself as a big fan but then people started to realise who he was and he made his apologies and left. A City legend who should have his statue with the other greats.
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Maasoom: Man City is not just a club - it is a family. From the owner, the players, the coach to every single fan, we are all connected. From Manchester to Abu Dhabi, baby - one love, one City!
Man City confirm shirt numbers for 2025-26 seasonpublished at 16:54 BST 1 August
16:54 BST 1 August
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City have confirmed some new shirt numbers ahead of the 2025-26 season but, most importantly, which numbers will the summer signings be wearing on their backs?
Goalkeeper James Trafford has opted for the traditional number-one shirt, with current first-choice shot-stopper Ederson already possessing the number 31 shirt. The 22-year-old also wore the number-one shirt at Burnley last season.
Trafford becomes the first to occupy the number since Claudio Bravo left in 2020, but previous names to have worn it include Joe Hart and David James.
Fellow summer arrival Tijjani Reijnders will wear the number four, previously defensive midfielder Kalvin Phillips' number, while Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri will sport numbers 29 and 21 on their backs respectively.
Elsewhere, academy graduate Nico O'Reilly's shirt number has changed from 75 to 33, a number previously worn by club legend Vincent Kompany and striker Gabriel Jesus.
Cruyffian football at Man City' - Reijnderspublished at 10:53 BST 1 August
10:53 BST 1 August
Image source, Getty Images
Tijjani Reijnders says he was persuaded to join Manchester City because Pep Guardiola's style of play reminds him of that made famous by Netherlands icon Johan Cryuff.
"When we played at the academy in Holland, you quickly learned how important possession is in games, about passing and movement and how important the tactics are," he told City, externalclub media, external. "Most Dutch players have that ingrained within them because they learn it at such an early age.
"As for Johan Cruyff, he's one of the greatest players our country has ever produced and what he left behind, you can still see on the football pitch - and you can also see it here at Manchester City."
Reijnders spent his career in Dutch football until two years ago when AC Milan signed him and, now 27, is excited about a fulfilling childhood hope of playing in the Premier League.
"I always dreamed of this and I think it was always on a Sunday morning that I saw the [Premier League] highlights on TV," he said.
"I'd obviously have a lot of interest in the Dutch players who were over here – Robin van Persie and Dennis Bergkamp in particular. They were the sort of players you were looking at because they were huge stars in our country and as a kid, you want to emulate them.
"Now, being here with City and to be soon playing in the Premier League, it genuinely is a dream come true."
Gossip: City fend off suitors for O'Reillypublished at 07:23 BST 1 August
07:23 BST 1 August
England Under-20 midfielder Nico O'Reilly, 20, will sign a new contract with Manchester City after they rejected two transfer bids from German club Bayer Leverkusen. (Fabrizio Romano), external
La Liga side Girona have agreed a deal in principle to sign City's Brazilian defender Vitor Reis, 19, on loan. (Fabrizio Romano), external
Finally, City want 19-year-old Claudio Echeverri to also go on a season-long loan to Girona, with discussions ongoing between the Argentine forward and the Spanish club. (Fabrizio Romano), external
Send your pictures and stories of why you love Citypublished at 16:36 BST 31 July
16:36 BST 31 July
Image source, Rob
On Monday, we asked you to tell us why you fell in love with Manchester City and some of your favourite moments supporting them.
You have already been getting in touch with your photos and stories and here is just a taste from Rob:
"My father (83) had a tie to the club in the early 1960s. He was a Manchester policeman and played for City in the Lancashire Leagues. He kept the programmes that had his name on the teamsheet. I wanted to do the same, although I wasn't quite good enough, but being able to watch Bell, Summerbee, Lee and Marsh in action, standing on the Kippax was good enough.
"A 44-year wait for a trophy was tough but brings you closer to a club you grew up supporting. Since 2015, my son and I made a commitment to visit Etihad Stadium at least four times a season, despite us living in the south of England. We've kept it, although he only knows a great City team, worships Sergio Aguero and gives me funny looks when I reflect on games v Colchester, Gillingham and York in Division Two.
"Three generations of supporter, I'm proud to say my family is intrinsically linked to the club, its history, its players and light blue. My son has a collection of 35 kits from David Silva to Ryan Cherki.
"Being at the Etihad or Maine Road has provided us with the most vivid and happiest memories of growing up and being together as a three-generation family. We're all privileged to be a small part of the club."
Join the conversation and send your best photos about why you love City.
Your first visit to the stadium? A special kit? An amazing away trip?
AS Roma are interested in Manchester City's 19-year-old Argentine winger Claudio Echeverri. (Sky Sports), external
Finally, Manchester City centre-back Max Alleyne could leave on a season-long loan this summer, with Watford opening talks for the 20-year-old. (Sky Sports), external
'Trafford fits the bill' - Man City's new number one?published at 12:21 BST 30 July
12:21 BST 30 July
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on whether goalkeeper James Trafford's return to Manchester City spells the end of Ederson as number one.
Here are some of your comments:
David: Ederson's hunger and application have been declining for at least a year and he's just too careless. He has been a fantastic keeper and fully instrumental in our style of play but his mind is elsewhere. We need younger and hungrier players in key positions and Trafford fits the bill and knows the City method of playing. He'll make mistakes but he'd by my number one of choice in a team rebuild.
Andy: Ederson has been a great servant for the club but we need more than just distribution from a keeper. Trafford is a great shotstopper, and can only get better at distribution. Great to have him back.
Chris: As a lifelong City fan, it's great James is back in the fold, but can he challenge Ederson for ability and distribution?
Malcolm: Twelve months from now, he will be Man City's number one.
Richard: I hoped he would get the chance to return. He went away to learn his trade, and looked a bit lightweight defending corners and under the ball. He developed under Vinny [Kompany] and given his age now, if carefully managed he can become a great. He wants to be here and he regards it as home.
Dereck: He's a signing for the present and the future. As he says, he's still young and has more to learn. Welcome home and look forward to seeing you back in our shirt.
Steve: This is the last year of Ederson's contract so I expect goalkeeping duties to be shared with Trafford taking over next season.
Rich: Ederson should be sold before his contract expires. Past his best. Stefan Ortega is a safer option and then put Trafford as number two.
Geoff: Very overrated. Poor in the air and with his feet. Got at least one major error per game in him. Won't suit Pep Guardiola's style at all.
'The place I call home' - have your say on Trafford returnpublished at 08:04 BST 30 July
08:04 BST 30 July
Image source, Getty Images
Goalkeeper James Trafford has returned to Manchester City from Burnley.
The 22-year-old has signed a five-year contract and has been assigned squad number one for the upcoming campaign.
"Rejoining City is such a special and proud moment both for me and my family," he said. "I always dreamed that one day I would be able to come back to Manchester City.
"This is the place I call home - it's a truly special football club with fantastic people who make it such a unique place to work and play.
"I am also very excited and honoured to have been given the opportunity to work under Pep and with such a world-class group of players.
"I am still very young and hungry to keep learning and improving - and I know there is no better environment than Manchester City to help make me become the best goalkeeper I can be.
"I also cannot wait to play in front of the amazing City fans for the first time and will do everything I can to help this great club look to achieve even more success."
How will Trafford fit in?
Do you expect him to immediately challenge Ederson for a starting spot?
Manchester United have an interest in Paris St-Germain's Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, but are reluctant to get involved in a bidding war with Manchester City and Chelsea for the 26-year-old's services. (Sun), external
City have informed German goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, 32, that he can leave the club following the arrival of James Trafford from Burnley. (Fabrizio Romano), external
Grealish's diminishing role at Man Citypublished at 15:54 BST 29 July
15:54 BST 29 July
Noel Sliney BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
With Everton and West Ham the latest Premier League clubs linked with out-of-favour Manchester City forward Jack Grealish, we took a look at what has happened to the £100m man.
It has been a chastening two years for Grealish since he enjoyed the most successful season of his career. Then, he played an integral role in Manchester City's historic treble in 2022-23, starting the FA Cup final and every one of their seven knockout ties as the club won the Champions League for the first time. Only six outfield City players spent more time on the pitch than Grealish in the Premier League too.
A hamstring injury halted his momentum early in 2023-24, which the England international ended with more yellow cards (seven) than combined goals and assists (six) across all competitions. He featured in just 40% of the total minutes played by City despite being in the squad for 82% of them.
Image source, Opta
His involvement dropped to 30% last term as Grealish's career plummeted to its nadir. Three of his six starts after Christmas came against lower-league opposition in the FA Cup, while 16 starts in total is his fewest in a campaign since he was 20 years old.
Unsurprisingly, it was also the player's least productive season in terms of chances created and dribbling success since returning to the Premier League in 2019.
City's team structure has seldom afforded Grealish the license to take on and glide past opponents as he did with such insouciance as the talismanic captain at boyhood club Aston Villa.
The question now is whether the affable 29-year-old can reverse the downward trajectory of his career – and who will afford him the opportunity to do so.
