Pep Guardiola has handed Erling Haaland the captain’s armband and two youngsters their senior debuts in our pre-season opener against Celtic.
The Norwegian will lead the side out for the first time at the Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Meanwhile, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Nico O’Reilly are both set to start in our clash with the Scottish champions, having made their way through the Club’s youth system.
Several other members of our Elite Development Squad could also figure for City from the bench as we look to claim victory in the first of four friendlies as part of our US Tour.
There are some familiar faces in the starting XI though, with Stefan Ortega Moreno, Rico Lewis, Kalvin Phillips, Oscar Bobb and Jack Grealish all included.
TEAMS
City XI: Ortega Moreno, Lewis, Simpson-Pusey, Mbete, Wilson-Esbrand, Phillips, O’Reilly, McAtee, Bobb, Grealish, Haaland (C).
Subs: Ederson, Carson, Perrone, Wright, Katongo, Ndala, Galvez, Susoho, Oboavwoduo, Heskey, Doyle, Fatah, Mfuni, Hamilton, Samuel, Knight.
Celtic XI: Schmeichel, Ralston, Welsh, Scales, Taylor, McGregor (C), O’Riley, Hatate, Kuhn, Maeda, Kyogo.
Subs: Sinisalo, Bain, Lagerbielke, Palma, Yang, Holm, Kobayashi, Kwon, Tomoki, Anderson, Lawal, Murray, Forrest, Dede, Donovan, Turley, M. Johnston.
TACTICS
Ortega Moreno’s goal will be shielded by a back four of Lewis, Simpson-Pusey and, fresh from successful loan spells in 2023/24, Luke Mbete and Josh Wilson-Esbrand.
Phillips will sit at the base of a midfield three, giving licence to James McAtee and O’Reilly to get forward and join the attack.
At the sharp end, Bobb and Grealish are expected to start on the flanks, with Haaland at centre-forward.
LEADING FROM THE FRONT
Erling Haaland‘s time at Manchester City has been nothing short of outstanding, and it began on our previous tour of the United States.
The Norwegian grabbed the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win over Bayern Munich at Green Bay’s iconic Lambeau Field, signing off our 2022 tour in style.
Fast forward two years and Haaland has smashed numerous longstanding goal records, cementing his reputation as one of the game’s most devastating finishers.
This is the first time he’s been handed the armband though, two days after celebrating his 24th birthday.
It’s another significant milestone for our number nine, who will be hoping to replicate his standout performance from our last US visit this evening.
MCATEE SET TO SHINE?
It’s rare for Pep Guardiola to single out players during press conferences, but his comments on the impact of James McAtee so far during our US Tour certainly caught the eye.
“I am curious to see Macca [James McAtee] especially after coming back from Sheffield United,” he told the media ahead of this evening’s clash with Celtic.
“We have a high opinion of him. I would love to have him next season with us – he can play in the small spaces in the pockets.
“I think he grew up in terms of physicality and has played for a team fighting relegation and when you do this you get something special.
“I know him well and know his potential – he has to play good for himself and the team.”
As the boss mentioned, having made his senior debut for the Club in 2021 during a campaign where he also won the Players’ Player of the Year trophy, two separate loan spells at Sheffield United have provided the midfielder with valuable senior experience.
In 2023/24, that included 30 Premier League appearances, as McAtee adapted well to the cut and thrust of the English top flight, despite the Blades’ relegation.
Still just 21, the midfielder has already proven he can mix it with the best in the business, and could be a key figure for City this evening.
YOUNG DEBUTANTS
This evening marks a special moment in the young careers of Simpson-Pusey and O’Reilly as they prepare for their senior bow.
Simpson-Pusey, a composed and technical centre-half, has shone for our Elite Development Squad in recent years, captaining the side on several occasions in the process.
That included leading our young blues out in May 2024 for the FA Youth Cup final, which we won 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium against Leeds United.
O’Reilly, meanwhile, was named Academy Players’ Player of the Year in 2022/23 and won Goal of the Season the following campaign.
A powerful midfielder with an excellent technical ability and eye for the spectacular, the 19-year-old will be keen to showcase his talents on a senior stage for the first time.