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From the highs of reaching two cup finals and finishing third in the Premier League last season, Manchester United are currently mired in something of a crisis, following early exits from both the League Cup and the Champions League, as well as a shaky start in the top-flight.

With the 2023/24 campaign almost at its halfway point, the Red Devils find themselves firmly outside the top four having been consistently inconsistent to date, with questions no doubt being asked regarding Erik ten Hag’s long-term future in the dugout.

While the Dutchman must take a large chunk of the responsibility for his side’s failings this season, his players are certainly not exempt from blame, with far too many first-team figures having deeply underwhelmed over an extended period.

With that in mind, we at Football FanCast have put together our mid-season player ratings (out of 10) for the Old Trafford outfit. Only players to have started on more than five occasions have been included.

Goalkeepers Andre Onana

3 – While it is still early days in Andre Onana’s time in England, the David De Gea successor has certainly been a major issue thus far, with his embryonic United career littered with glaring mistakes. In Europe, in particular, the former Inter Milan man endured high-profile blunders galore, while conceding 15 times in just six group games. Grim.

Altay Bayindir

N/A – The Turkey international hasn’t yet been handed a chance to impress despite Onana’s woes, but the Cameroonian’s possible involvement at AFCON next month could allow him the opportunity to nail down a regular role for himself in the sticks.

Full-backs Diogo Dalot

6 – The jury is still out on whether Diogo Dalot is the man to nail down that right-back berth despite only recently signing a new long-term deal, notably enduring a particularly rough outing at St James’ Park – where he lost the ball 23 times. That being said, efforts like his late stunner against Sheffield United have shown that there is a quality player in there somewhere.

Aaron Wan Bissaka

6 – The Englishman has as ever been solid, yet unspectacular, having seen his involvement limited this season due to a hamstring injury.

Luke Shaw

6 – Like the man above, Luke Shaw has largely been on the sidelines in recent months, although has been a welcome return to the side in recent weeks, with Ten Hag hailing the way he “strengthens” the team.

Sergio Reguilon

5 – Brought in as an emergency loan signing on deadline day to cover for the loss of Shaw and Tyrell Malacia due to injury, the Tottenham Hotspur man has flattered to deceive in a United shirt thus far, with his high energy style often countered by his “poor” decision-making on the ball – as was noted by GOAL following the defeat to Bournemouth.

Centre-backs Harry Maguire

7 – Tipped for an exit and stripped of the captaincy over the summer, Harry Maguire’s recent resurgence has been one of the few positives this season, the 30-year-old only recently winning the Premier League’s Player of the Month award for November.

Raphael Varane

6 – As was evident at Anfield recently – in which the Frenchman was “immense”, according to journalist Sam Pilger – Varane is a real asset when at his best and was bizarrely overlooked by Ten Hag for a spell. That being said, the World Cup winner’s repeated spells on the treatment table continue to frustrate.

Lisandro Martinez

5 – Had played just six times before sustaining a foot injury that has kept him sidelined since September. A “warrior” last term – as per pundit Adrian Mariappa – the Argentine had looked shaky in the early weeks of the season as United slipped to three defeats from their opening five league games.

Victor Lindelof

6 – The experienced Swede remains an able deputy and even featured at left-back on occasion earlier in the campaign.

Jonny Evans

7 – It may appear a generous rating, but summer signing Jonny Evans has certainly exceeded expectations since his return to the club over the summer on a free transfer. The Northern Ireland international was particularly impressive in keeping Liverpool at bay last week, having been “outstanding” on the day – according to ex-United man, David May.

Midfielders Casemiro

5 – Like many this season, the Brazilian has been absent for a fair chunk of the campaign due to injury. A return is on the cards in the near future, yet Ten Hag will be looking for a vast improvement on his early season form, with the 31-year-old notably “torn to shreds” on the opening weekend against Wolverhampton Wanderers, in the words of Gary Neville.

Christian Eriksen

5 – Another only just making his way back from injury, Christian Eriksen has seen his impact limited this season after starting just six league games.

Mason Mount

5 – A return of no goals and only one assist is grim reading for a £55m summer signing, yet it feels too early to judge Mason Mount too harshly, amid his own injury woes.

Bruno Fernandes

6 – Not at his sparkling best by any means, yet a return of five goals and five assists from the United skipper is solid stuff indeed, with the Portuguese magician notably netting crucial winners against the likes of Burnley and Fulham.

Scott McTominay

7 – The doubts remain over the Scotland international’s quality on the ball, yet it is hard to argue with his impact in the final third this season, having netted six times in all competitions thus far – including that late show at home to Brentford.

Sofyan Amrabat

5 – “Off the pace” was how Peter Schmeichel described Amrabat’s performance in the Manchester Derby and that has set the tone for his early United career as a whole. Looks a long shot that the loanee will be snapped up permanently, on current evidence.

Kobbie Mainoo

7 – Still early days to award Kobbie Mainoo anything higher than a 7/10, but the signs so far are certainly exciting, with the “unreal” talent – as hailed by ex-teammate Anthony Elanga – looking like the Red Devils’ next poster boy.

Forwards Antony

4 – There have been signs of life from Antony of late, yet no goals and no assists this season in all competitions says everything there is to know. Time is running out for that £86m fee to be justified.

Alejandro Garnacho

7 – Deserves a high rating for that moment of magic alone at Goodison Park, with the teenager deservingly keeping Marcus Rashford out of the side of late.

Marcus Rashford

4 – Speaking of Rashford, the England international has seen his form nosedive since bagging 30 goals across all fronts last term, with his drop-off having arguably been one of the most frustrating and disappointing features of the campaign so far. Perhaps a new year could spark a much-needed revival for Ten Hag’s one-time talisman.

Anthony Martial

4 – With his contract running down after over eight years at Old Trafford, Anthony Martial continues to frustrate when he is called upon – notably producing an abject display away at Newcastle in which he was frequently berated by his own manager. An exit can’t come soon enough.

Rasmus Hojlund

5 – Still only 20, Rasmus Hojlund needs time to properly settle before he can truly be judged, although his goalscoring woes in the league are becoming a real concern. That being said, the Dane’s haul of five goals on the continent have provided a taster of what United can expect in the years to come.

Facundo Pellistri

5 – Just over three years on from signing, the diminutive Uruguayan remains a bit-part player having started just once in the league this season.

Jadon Sancho

N/A – A January exit for Jadon Sancho looks increasingly more likely by the day, having been exiled since his public spat with Ten Hag back in September. Such was his limp form prior to that – having scored just 12 goals in 82 games since arriving in 2021 – few have longed for his return to the senior set-up.

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4 – Still has credit in the bank after last season, yet that stock is swiftly tumbling. Has commendably held firm with the Sancho saga, yet a few head-scratching decisions – including his use of Varane in recent times – are hard to defend. Could be a big few months for the former Ajax boss, if he is to save his own skin, as well as the club’s troubling form.

The Sri Lanka batsman picked up the injury while fielding in the Durban ODI on Sunday

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Mar-2019Sri Lanka batsman Kusal Perera has been ruled out of the remainder of the South Africa tour following a hamstring tear, sustained in Durban on Sunday. The SLC also announced it won’t be sending a replacement player.Perera had been fielding at mid-on when he dived to intercept a shot hit by Faf du Plessis in the seventh over of the ODI in Durban. Having landed awkwardly, he immediately clutched his knee, and hobbled off the field soon after. He did not return to field, nor did he bat in Sri Lanka’s chase.This is the third serious hamstring injury he has suffered in as many years. In 2017, a hamstring tear at the Champions Trophy had kept Perera out of top-level cricket for several months, before he endured a long layoff last year as well. This injury, however, is not expected to keep him out of the reckoning for the World Cup.Perera had a rewarding run in the Test leg of the tour, scoring 353 runs in five innings, including a fifty and a sensational 153 not-out in the first Test that handed Sri Lanka one of their most memorable victories in the format, and set up their 2-0 series sweep. In his two innings in the ODIs, though, he made only 33 and 8.Sri Lanka have lost all three ODIs so far, by big margins, and will play the fourth ODI on Wednesday, in Port Elizabeth.

Jackson Bird claimed three wickets but Trent Copeland pushed the total beyond 300

Alex Malcolm20-Mar-2019Half-centuries from New South Wales openers Daniel Hughes and Nick Larkin helped the Blues push beyond 300 on a vital opening day against Tasmania in Hobart.Needing a victory to all-but assure a spot in the Shield final against Victoria the Blues were sent in on a Bellerive pitch that has been brutally tough to bat first on all season, but Hughes and Larkin weathered the incessant swing and seam movement to post a 99-run opening partnership.Hughes was particularly fluent, striking 11 boundaries as he passed 50 for the sixth time this season. He fell to an incredible reflex catch from Matthew Wade at first slip. Hughes edged a ball off the back foot from Jackson Bird straight to Alex Doolan at second slip, Doolan spilt the chance but Wade’s stunning reflexes scooped the rebound inches above the turf.Larkin’s vigil last much longer. He absorbed 153 balls for his 67 and lost his stand-in skipper Kurtis Patterson in the process before he guided an outside edge straight to Doolan at second slip off Simon Milenko.The allrounder also picked Moises Henriques in the same spell before Bird returned to remove debutant Nick Bertus to leave the Blues vulnerable at 5 for 189.But youngsters Jason Sangha and Jack Edwards steadied with a 74-run stand before both fell to the second new ball.Sangha was trapped lbw by Bird for a patient 37 to give him three wickets for the day and do his Ashes hopes no harm. Edwards struck six boundaries in a brisk 44 before edging Riley Meredith to first slip.That would be Tasmania’s last wicket of the day as debutant wicketkeeper Baxter Holt and Trent Copeland added an unbeaten 46 in less than 10 overs to take the Blues past 300 at stumps. Copeland reached 30 not out from just 31 balls with five boundaries and will have a licence to press further on day two.

The January transfer window has come at the perfect time for Arsenal, as two defeats on the bounce have caused the Gunners to lose valuable ground on Liverpool in the Premier League title race. But, not to worry Arsenal fans, as Mikel Arteta may just have his eye on a new striker.

Arsenal looking to fill number 9 void

As has been reported, the Gunners currently have a four man striker list for the upcoming window. Arteta isn't exactly blessed with a wide range of central attacking options at the Emirates, with Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus the only real out-and-out number 9s.

And, what's more concerning is the numbers that these two have put up so far this season, with just 13 goals in 47 appearances in all competitions, which certainly isn't helping the club's title aspirations.

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So, with the evident need for a prolific striker this month, the likes of Dominic Solanke, Ivan Toney, Viktor Gyokeres and Ollie Watkins seem like sensible options if the report above is anything to go by.

And it looks as if Arteta has already secretly highlighted his favourite out of those four, with a move for a certain "rare animal" already being looked into in north London.

Arsenal chiefs investigating how to sign Ivan Toney

According to the Independent, Arsenal are investigating whether a deal can be done for Ivan Toney this January, as Mikel Arteta wants the Brentford forward specifically as part of this window's business.

However, the report goes on to state that the price tag is a major issue: "Arteta has been weighing up which positions to prioritise with a restricted budget, but his side's recent struggles in front of goal have increasingly convinced him of the need to bolster the attack. The problem is Financial Fair Play concerns, as well as the fact that Brentford would want huge money for their prize striker. It would likely take a package of at least £80m for a deal to be done."

Ivan Toney's Premier League statistics – 2022/23 (Sofascore)

Total duels won per game

6.7

Chance conversion

21%

Shots per game

2.8

Touches per game

40.8

Assists

4

Goals

20

Appearances

33

With Everton getting into trouble and Manchester City under scrutiny for their financial behaviour, you can understand Arsenal's concern over exactly how much they can spend this month.

There's no doubting that Toney could be the man to produce 20-goal seasons at the Emirates, should he re-discover his form from last season. But, as mentioned above, the price of £80m is a lot to pay when you consider that Arteta spent £105m on Declan Rice, £65m on Kai Havertz and £38m on Jurrien Timber back in the summer.

If the Gunners can make a deal happen then Arteta would be more than happy if his recent comments are anything to go by as he named Toney as one of the best in the world:

"For me, I think he is one of the best strikers. As a No.9, I don't see many in the world that are better than him. You have [Harry] Kane, [Robert] Lewandowski, these types, but not many.

"He scored 20 goals in the Premier League last year in, of course, a very good Brentford side. But we are not making as many chances as the top six or seven teams. Imagine him in a top team. He would easily score 20 to 25 goals [a season], for me. I think he is composed, a good finisher, and has a top mentality."

Ollie Palmer has revealed that Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are planning changes that could see ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ delivered “almost live”.

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Hollywood superstars in North WalesEpic adventure being caught on cameraTaking supporters behind the scenesWHAT HAPPENED?

The popular documentary series, which has collected a number of prestigious awards, is into its third season. There has been plenty of drama to catch on camera in North Wales, with fans being invited along for the ride being enjoyed by two Hollywood superstars.

AdvertisementGetty/GOALTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Wrexham have taken in back-to-back promotions, carrying them from the National League and into League One, but viewers already know what is going to unfold before the series that goes behind the scenes of the football club and local community hits screens around the world.

WHAT PALMER SAID

That could change at some point, with Red Dragons striker Palmer telling the : “You remember things that happened in the season and it’s nice to go back through it and relive it. That is one thing that Rob has tried to change with the documentary. Speaking to him in Vegas, he wanted to try and bring everyone up to speed quicker. Before, the season had finished and then it was four, five, six months before people had watched the show. Everyone knew the outcome so you were sitting there like ‘we know what’s going to happen’. I think ultimately, maybe, they might try and get the show where it’s almost live weekly or every two weeks, so you’re living in the moment. But that would take a lot of work and they are both busy guys.”

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GettyDID YOU KNOW?

Quizzed on whether a lot of action gets cut from the documentary, Palmer added: “They show an awful lot. You can’t cut everything in. It’s not going to be an It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – a thousand episodes over 15 years! There are going to be things you don’t see, but they capture the best parts.”

A rapid fifty from Matt Critchley and Alex Hughes’ four-for set up a comfortable 53-run win

ECB Reporters Network19-Apr-2019Matt Critchley played another match-changing one-day innings to set up a 53-run victory for Derbyshire over Northamptonshire in the Royal London Cup match at Derby.Critchley made an unbeaten 64 from 51 balls, his first List A fifty for Derbyshire, as the Falcons recovered from 137 for 5 to 268 for 6 with skipper Billy Godleman top-scoring with 87. Despite an unbeaten 50 from Luke Proctor, the Steelbacks never threatened to chase that down and Alex Hughes’ best List A figures of 4 for 44 saw the visitors bowled out for 215 with 37 balls to spare, their second North Group defeat.The Falcons began badly when Luis Reece nicked the third ball of the innings but Wayne Madsen and Godleman took the score to 50 before two wickets in successive overs checked the scoring rate.Madsen cut Jason Holder for consecutive fours before he edged Ben Sanderson and Hughes quickly followed when he was caught behind driving at the West Indies captain.South African batsman Leus du Plooy – signed this week on a Kolpak deal – impressed on his debut until he chopped Blessing Muzarabani into his stumps and when Tom Lace steered the Zimbabwe paceman into the hands of third man, the Falcons were in trouble..But although Godleman struggled to time the ball, he anchored the innings while Critchley provided the momentum in a stand that added 84 in 13 overs. Godleman whipped Nathan Buck over midwicket for the only six of the innings but played on to the next ball as he tried to run it to third man.The Steelbacks had prevented the Falcons from getting away until the last over of the innings, which cost 17 as Critchley moved around the crease to hit Sanderson for three fours.Even so, the total looked below par but that changed as the Falcons blew away the top order in the first nine overs with Hughes taking two outstanding slip catches.Josh Cobb edged a drive at Logan van Beek in the second over and the dangerous Richard Levi went in the next when he tried to run Ravi Rampaul and was snared by Hughes diving to his right at second slip.Hughes swooped in front of first to remove Alex Wakeley and the Steelbacks were in disarray when Rob Newton was run out in a mix up over a second with Adam Rossington.Hughes spilled another sharp chance when Rossington edged van Beek and that threatened to prove expensive when he drove the next two balls to the boundary. Rossington pulled Reece just over the head of deep midwicket for six but Hughes struck in his first over when he found just enough away movement to bowl him for 21.Any chance the Steelbacks had now rested with Holder but after hitting six fours in a 24-ball 30, he missed a big drive at Hughes and although Proctor and Sanderson added 73, it only delayed the inevitable.

As Arsenal look to bounce back from consecutive defeats against West Ham United and Fulham, the January transfer window could quickly become season-defining. The Gunners will be desperate to close the five-point gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool and will be well aware of how winter reinforcements can play a part in that, especially if Mikel Arteta lands his targets this month.

20

13

6

1

45

25

20

13

3

4

42

16

19

12

4

3

40

24

20

12

4

4

40

17

With that said, those at The Emirates outfit have reportedly been told what it would take for them to sign one particular Serie A star this month, in what could potentially see them hand a financially troubled club a needed boost.

Arsenal transfer news

Arsenal's pursuit of another striker is hardly a well-kept secret this month, with Arteta looking to add the goals that Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah have struggled to provide for his side so far this season.

Ivan Toney

1st January

Serhou Guirassy

19th December

Dominic Solanke

17th December

Boulaye Dia

16th December

Santiago Gimenez

2nd January

Marcos Leonardo

14th December

With that said, Sky Sports' Gary Cotterill has claimed that Juventus would listen to play-plus cash offers for Dusan Vlahovic this month. Cotterill said, via The Boot Room: “Not Ivan Toney because I don’t think Brentford will sell him in January. Another player though we know Mikel Arteta is a fan of is Dusan Vlahovic. Juventus wanted £50m, but that was too steep for Arsenal, but Juventus have financial problems. They would listen to a cash-plus-player offer and there are also these tax rules in Italy which is something for them to consider."

Arsenal could finally sign "lightning" Vlahovic

Of course, this isn't the first time that the Serbian has been linked with a move to Arsenal. Arsenal were reportedly interested in signing Vlahovic before he chose a move to Juventus over the North London club in 2022. Almost two years later, the Gunners could finally get the man that Arteta is reportedly a fan of, as he looks to gain an edge in the Premier League title race.

Player

Goals

Assists

Key Passes Per Game

Dusan Vlahovic

6

2

0.6

Gabriel Jesus

3

1

1.1

Eddie Nketiah

5

1

0.4

A player who has already earned plenty of praise from English pundits, Vlahovic has previously caught the attention of Micah Richards, who told BBC Radio Five Live, via The Independent: “I have watched him a couple of times now. He is lightning. It’s ridiculous. He has got 16 in 18 this season. His left foot is like a wand. I am telling you now, he is everything, he is everything you need.”

With the January window now open, Arsenal would be wise to land a striker if they want to avoid the heartbreak of last season and secure their first Premier League title under Arteta. Currently five points adrift, the Gunners need to find a boost one way or another, or risk falling away entirely in the race for silverware this season.

Arsenal are keen to offload up to seven first-team players ahead of the 2024-25 season including out of favour goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

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Gunners keen to continue squad rebuildMass exodus on the cardsRamsdale tops unwanted listWHAT HAPPENED?

Mikel Arteta has moulded a squad capable of competing for the Premier League in recent years but Arsenal still have some deadwood lurking in their squad. Reports suggest up to seven first-team players have been made available for transfers away from North London including England international Ramsdale.

AdvertisementWHO COULD ARSENAL SELL?

According to The Mirror, Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe, Kieran Tierney, Nuno Tavares, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Reiss Nelson are all surplus to requirements alongside Ramsdale. Cedric Soares, Mohamed Elneny and Arthur Okonkwo are also expected to depart when their contracts expire on June 1. The report goes on to add that Arsenal are willing to back Arteta again following a significant spend on the likes of Jurrien Timber, Declan Rice and Kai Havertz last summer.

Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The Gunners have recruited some serious star power in the last few years. but they have so far been unable to dethrone Manchester City in the Premier League. By getting the outgoings sorted early, Arteta will have the opportunity to draft in two or three more quality starters and perhaps overtake Pep Guardiola's men in 2024-25.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR RAMSDALE?

Although he has been highlighted for his mistakes in goal, Ramsdale has shown he can be a quality keeper capable of thriving at the top of the table. He still has two years left on his contract at the Emirates but Arsenal may accept a low bid if it means moving on the unwanted 25-year-old. Newcastle and Chelsea have been linked with the former Sheffield United and Bournemouth stopper.

A middle-order batsman, Nurse played 29 Tests between 1960 and 1969 and later served as a Barbados selector and coach

ESPNcricinfo staff07-May-2019Former West Indies batsman Seymour Nurse died on Monday after a long illness. Nurse, 85, played 29 Tests between 1960 and 1969.Desmond Haynes, the former West Indies and Barbados opening batsman, shared the news via a Facebook post. “My coach my mentor, we all from the holders hill area love this man, we used to walk like Seymour bat like him and try to talk like him. Thanks for everything you have done for me. May he Rest In Peace and rise in glory,” Haynes wrote.A middle-order batsman from Barbados, Nurse made his Test debut against England in 1960 and scored 70 and 11 but untimely injuries in Australia in 1960 and England in 1963 did not help. It was not until the 1966 West Indies tour of England that Nurse established himself in the side. In that series, he scored 501 runs in five Tests, including four fifties and a hundred. Following this performance, he was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1967.ALSO READ: Seymour Nurse – my first TestNurse finished his Test career with a magnificent 258 – his highest Test score – against New Zealand in Christchurch. That remains the highest individual score in a batsman’s final Test innings, though Englishman Andy Sandham’s 325 against West Indies in Kingston in 1930 remains the best score in a batsman’s farewell Test.In all, Nurse scored 2,523 runs at an average of 47.60 with six centuries and ten fifties.In 141 first-class matches, Nurse amassed 9,489 runs at 43.93 with the help of 26 hundreds. An excellent close-in fielder, he took 116 catches, and also played six List-A games, scoring 246 runs, including a hundred and a fifty.After his retirement, he served as a Barbados selector and a team manager, and was also a long-standing coach at the Barbados National Sports Council.Nurse is survived by his twin daughters.

The Catalan has made history by winning a fourth successive crown to make it six in total, but which was his best?

Champions again. And again, and again. Manchester City have a vice-like grip on the Premier League title, and good luck to anyone who tries to take it away from them. The Cityzens are celebrating their 10th English league title, their eighth in the Premier League era and their sixth under Pep Guardiola.

And this one is extra special, as they have become the first team in English football history to have won four consecutive crowns. Ever since winning their third title in a row last year, Guardiola had set his eyes on doing something that no team had previously achieved. And as he tends to do, the Catalan has pulled it off.

Not that he will be ranking it above any of his previous five title wins in Manchester, however. Two days before beating West Ham to secure the elusive fourth crown, Guardiola said: "Don't ask me which is more important because every one has been so important. All of the five Premier Leagues we won were so difficult and a there was lot of effort behind them."

But which was the most impressive? GOAL re-lives all six of Guardiola's Premier League triumphs with City, taking into account entertainment, difficulty and how enjoyable they were to watch…

Getty 62020-21: Emphatic turnaround

By their own ridiculously high standards, City made a terrible start to the 2020-21 campaign, dropping points in five of their opening eight games, leaving them in the unthinkable position of 13th place in the table. Having made such a bad start after surrendering the league to Liverpool the previous season, there was genuine uncertainty about Guardiola's future.

While the team were at their lowest ebb, however, City showed faith in their manager and gave him a new contract in November. It did not immediately galvanise the team as City dropped points in three of their next five games, but they started cooking up something delightful soon enough, winning 15 matches in a row, their second-longest winning streak ever.

Yet despite that ruthless run, which helped City wrap up the title with three games to spare, there was an underwhelming feel to this triumph. That was mostly due to the fact almost every game was played in an empty stadium due to coronavirus restrictions, but it was also the least impressive in terms of points (86). They also scored fewer goals than in any other season under Guardiola.

AdvertisementGetty52022-23: Haaland pounces on Arsenal

This was the season in which Erling Haaland landed on English shores and immediately owned the league, scoring at a breath-taking rate and demolishing records each week. His 36 goals played a huge part in City winning a third-consecutive title for the first time in their history, while Ilkay Gundogan, Jack Grealish and Kevin De Bruyne all played their part in a stunning run of victories from February to May as City chased down Arsenal.

The 12-match winning streak put City back on track towards the title, yet they were helped by a dramatic collapse from the Gunners, who had been top of the table for 32 out of 38 weeks and held an eight-point advantage with nine games to go. Mikel Arteta's side let the pressure get to them and dropped points in six of their next eight games, chucking away two-goal leads to draw at Liverpool and West Ham, while also drawing 3-3 at home with soon-to-be-relegated Southampton.

The momentum was very much with City when they welcomed the Gunners to the Etihad Stadium in late April, and Guardiola's side hammered them 4-1 to take back control of the title race. They clinched it less than a month later when Arsenal were beaten by Brighton and then Nottingham Forest.

It was undoubtedly a stunning finish from Guardiola's side, spearheaded by Haaland, but Arsenal certainly lent them a hand.

Getty 42021-22: Who needs a centre-forward?

City had waved farewell to all-time top scorer Sergio Aguero in the summer of 2021 and played much of this season without a centre-forward. They did not get off to the smoothest of starts, either, dropping points in four of their opening 10 games and falling into third behind Chelsea and Liverpool. But soon enough they got into their usual groove, winning 12 games in a row between November and February.

They took top spot for the first time in December and never let it go, although Liverpool pushed them mightily close. City got off to a dreadful start in their final game of the season against Aston Villa, falling two goals behind, but they roared back to score three times in the space of six minutes, with substitute Gundogan starting and completing the epic comeback.

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Getty32023-24: Winning a three-horse race

City had experienced big changes over the summer of 2023 by parting with the serial-winners Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte. Then on the opening day of the season, they lost Kevin De Bruyne for more than five months to injury. But they shook off those difficulties by winning their first six games, equalling their best-ever start to a campaign, with Phil Foden finding the best form of his career.

Their longest wobble came while Rodri was suspended, the Spaniard missing all three of their Premier League defeats, the last of which came in December. The return of De Bruyne, meanwhile, was crucial and helped them get over the line, although at times it wasn't always pretty, such as in April's scrappy win at Forest. City also had an underwhelming record against their rivals, winning just two out of eight matches against the top five.

But this title was still hugely impressive, as they had to see off not one but two title contenders. Liverpool faded in April but Arsenal, unlike the previous season, pushed them right to the bitter end, showing none of the frailties they had previously exhibited. In the end, City just had more mettle and that's why they will go down in the record books as the first team in 135 years of English football to win four titles in a row.