Manchester City and Manchester United are set to return from the international break this weekend as they look to get their league campaigns back on track after mixed starts. With both sides having only won one of their last four games in all competitions, it’s going to be interesting to see how each team responds over the next few weeks.
Manchester City
Manchester City have signed midfielder Marc-Andre ter Stegen from Real Betis on a season-long loan, with the option to make the deal permanent next summer. The German international will spend the 2019/20 campaign at AS Monaco, who he joined from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016.
Ter Stegen has already made his mark at his new club after starting all three of their league games so far this season – including two wins and a draw – as well as playing 90 minutes in their Champions League win over Club Brugge last week.
The 27-year old will return to Man City next summer when his loan expires if they wish him too or if they decide not to buy him outright from Real Betis at that point (or even earlier).
Marcal – £6.3 million
Marcal is a 21-year-old Portuguese winger who signed for the Blues from Real Betis back in July, but was immediately loaned out to AS Monaco on a season-long deal.
He has already scored one goal and registered two assists in just six appearances in all competitions so far this season.
Pep Guardiola has been hard at work strengthening his squad ahead of their return from the international break.
Pep Guardiola has been hard at work strengthening his squad ahead of their return from the international break. The Spanish manager has brought in a host of new players, loaned out some old ones and sent others away on international duty.
The arrival of the likes of Rodri, Joao Cancelo and Douglas Luiz has seen City fans excited about what they can achieve this season as they look to reclaim their Premier League crown from Liverpool who won it last term.
However, these additions haven’t come without cost as Guardiola also lost key figures like Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich), Raheem Sterling (Chelsea) and Riyad Mahrez (Monaco) during this transfer window – all top performers who could have helped City push for more silverware next term but instead left them short-handed heading into October’s action with just over three weeks until kick off against Arsenal at The Emirates Stadium on Saturday 18th October 2019!
The Spaniard is renowned for bringing in players over the summer and this time is no different.
The Spaniard is renowned for bringing in players over the summer and this time is no different.
He has already signed a number of players this summer, including Rodri from Atletico Madrid and Joao Cancelo from Juventus, who will be expected to play a key role at right-back.
The Citizens also have plenty of room in their squad after letting go of several fringe players, including Douglas Luiz, Angelino and Lukas Nmecha – all three were loaned out last season but Pep Guardiola doesn’t see a future for them at the Etihad Stadium anymore.
So what else could happen before deadline day? Well…
Marcal signed for the Blues from Real Betis back in July, but was immediately loaned out to AS Monaco on a season-long deal.
Marcal signed for the Blues from Real Betis back in July, but was immediately loaned out to AS Monaco on a season-long deal.
The Portuguese midfielder has impressed in Ligue 1 so far this season and could return to Stamford Bridge as part of a swap deal involving Chelsea’s Olivier Giroud when his contract expires at the end of this campaign.
The 23-year-old winger signed for Les Monégasques on deadline day and has already scored one goal and registered two assists in just six appearances in all competitions.
The 23-year-old winger signed for Les Monégasques on deadline day and has already scored one goal and registered two assists in just six appearances in all competitions.
Marcal will be a good option for City next season, especially if Riyad Mahrez leaves the club. The Algerian international is rumoured to be heading out of the Etihad after failing to agree terms on a new contract with Pep Guardiola’s side and Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing him as well.
Spanish news outlet AS reported this week that Marcal would be coming back to City next summer, so Blues fans will be hoping he gets plenty more minutes with Pep’s side before then.
A Spanish news outlet AS reported this week that Marcal would be coming back to City next summer, so Blues fans will be hoping he gets plenty more minutes with Pep’s side before then.
Injuries have limited his opportunities since moving from Deportivo La Coruna at the start of this season but the talented midfielder has made five appearances in all competitions and three starts in Premier League games against Fulham, Arsenal and Burnley.
Marcal joined City on a free transfer following five years with the Spanish club where he won promotion from Segunda Division B in 2013-14 before helping them finish fifth in La Liga last term – their highest ever placing in Spain’s top flight – while also reaching two Copa del Rey finals (winning one).
Conclusion
We will have to wait and see how Marcal fares when he returns to Manchester City, but it seems as though Pep Guardiola has got his wish. The Spaniard is back in the Premier League and ready for action after making an impactful start at Monaco this season.
