The Manchester City rebuild remains a work in progress which stood out at the Club World Cup | OneFootball

For Manchester City, the FIFA Club World Cup represented the beginning of the 25/26 season. With new signings and new coaches on board, there was a sense of optimism that surrounded Pep Guardiola’s squad for the tournament in the United States. Unfortunately, Manchester City crashed out of the Club World Cup at the round of 16 stage with a 4-3 defeat to Al Hilal. That defeat in itself is a poor result for City. Especially when they entered the tournament with the goal of winning the competition.

But looking at how Manchester City performed at the tournament it confirmed that City’s rebuild remains a work in progress. That stood out across all four of Manchester City’s matches in the United States.

Manchester City have plenty to work on but one frailty stands out.

Pep Guardiola’s side won three games and lost one in the United States. They picked up wins against Wydad AC, Al Ain and Juventus. Their loss to Al Hilal this morning ended their run at the Club World Cup. But during all four games, there were clear signs of what Manchester City need to improve heading into next season. One frailty in particular stood out.

Pep Guardiola’s side still has a major susceptibility to quick counterattacks. It stood out on occasions against Wydad AC, to an extent the same frailty was on show in City’s 6-nil win over Al Ain. Juventus scored through Dusan Vlahovic to make it 5-2 in that match after splitting City’s high defensive line, and Al Hilal ruthlessly exposed that well-known frailty at the Camping World Stadium, especially in the second half of their round of 16 victory. Looking ahead, that is one major area of Manchester City’s play that must be improved and tightened up. Whether or not that improvement comes from playing safer in possession on occasions or by changing personnel on the pitch remains to be seen.

In terms of concerns about Manchester City’s play at the Club World Cup, their susceptibility to quick and well-worked counterattacks must be addressed. No doubt it will be over the summer ahead of the beginning of the 25/26 season.

There are signs of improvement in Pep Guardiola’s side and that shouldn’t be forgotten.

Having noticed that one major flaw in Manchester City’s play at the Club World Cup, the tournament wasn’t a waste for Pep Guardiola’s side. There were positives to emerge from City’s performances. First of all, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Rayan Cherki all showed flashes of their quality. Manchester City’s three new signings have now played their first games under Pep Guardiola and have had a taste of life at Manchester City. That is a major positive.

Oscar Bobb and Rodri got minutes into their legs. After the pair missed almost all of the 24/25 season due to serious injuries that represents progress. Hopefully, both players are now on their way to full fitness and will be better for the minutes in their legs.

Another positive for Manchester City was the opportunity for Pep Guardiola’s squad to get away and have a pre season camp of sorts. The new look City squad did show signs of what they may well look like next season. At times they played quicker and with more fluidity. How that implementation into Manchester City’s play grows will be fascinating to watch unfold.

Bernardo Silva spoke after his team’s defeat to Al Hilal that there have been plenty of positives for Manchester City to take out of the FIFA Club World Cup. In an interview published on mancity.com, Manchester City’s captain said: “The guys inside know we’re improving a lot, we’re starting to feel the team back, the atmosphere in the dressing room, the energy, and even the way we play.”

“I think there’s been some improvements, we’re starting to feel some good energy from the team to go back to our level.”

Conclusion.

Manchester City’s FIFA Club World Cup campaign came to a disappointing end against Al Hilal. But what the tournament confirmed is that City’s rebuild remains a work in progress. There is plenty for Pep Guardiola and his team to improve. But there was also plenty of positives to take out of City’s four games in the United States. But more than that, City’s journey to the United States represented a pre season for Pep Guardiola’s side and the fact that the new look City squad aren’t the finished product in July isn’t a major cause for concern just yet.