Even Kyle Walker was booted out in the Champions League final.
Nathan Ake had solved the longstanding left-back issue, Jack Grealish had put a difficult first year behind him to prove invaluable on the left-wing and Bernardo Silva was a positional maestro on the opposite flank.
This year, however, the names who have been forced out are maybe more surprising. Grealish has struggled for consistency and only started one of the last six games of City's run-in. Similarly, John Stones started one of the last nine games, playing just 77 minutes across three appearances.
Part of their struggles to rediscover their form from 12 months ago was due to their injury and fitness issues. Guardiola has no room for sentiment and prioritises players in form. That's why Manu Akanji played a key role in last season's treble success and was undroppable this term - starting 15 of the last 16 matches in all competitions, playing 96 per cent of available minutes in that time. Guardiola had explained Stones' omissions a week earlier at Fulham, pointing to the form of Akanji and Ake as reasons why they deserved to start.
There was a hint that Stones needed to show a little more, but the feeling was this was more down to others earning the shirt on merit. Josko Gvardiol's form on the left of defence also kept Stones out and Ake on the final day after he was injured. Gvardiol proved himself as the best left-back option in the squad and with Akanji surging to the top of the centre-back hierarchy, that left Ruben Dias, Ake and Stones to fight for the remaining spot - a trio who all started the Champions League final.
Esta historia es de la edición May 22, 2024 de Manchester Evening News.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición May 22, 2024 de Manchester Evening News.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Boss distances himself from £400m transfer spend - I don't set the prices
ETH makes it clear he plays no part in finances
Striker light...United must add firepower during summer window
AFTER Marcus Rashford established himself as United's most reliable source of goals in 2022/23, the club's aim for the 2023 summer transfer window was clear sign a striker.
MATURE FODEN LOOKING TO DO NATION PROUD THIS SUMMER
PHIL Foden knows the spotlight will be on him at Euro 2024 but he is determined to prove he can replicate his outstanding club form in an England shirt.
City know they face Real challenge to regain crown on European stage
JUST under a year since that famous night in Istanbul, City are no longer champions of Europe.
LIGHTNING STRIKES FOR SECOND TIME IN LANCS WIN
LANCASHIRE Lightning inflicted a second defeat in three matches on Derbyshire Falcons when they eased to a comfortable 57-run victory in the Vitality Blast match at Emirates Old Trafford.
Salford rout pushes them back into top 6
SALFORD moved back into the top six with a 34-4 rout of Super League basement boys London Broncos but the final score belied the battle they faced for much of the afternoon.
'We are party of national security'
SIR Keir Starmer will pitch Labour as the \"party of national security\" as he seeks to switch attention to defence matters during the General Election campaign.
Police arrest 56 around Wembley final
THE Metropolitan Police made 56 arrests around the Champions League final at Wembley on Saturday, as some football fans tried to force their way into the stadium and others invaded the pitch.
Love is blind for couple at start of relationship
TEENAGER KITTY REVEALS HOW LOSING HER SIGHT MADE HER CLOSER TO NEW MAN SAM
'Patients dying in hospital corridors in NHS emergency'
NURSES have declared a \"national emergency\" in the NHS, warning that patients are dying in hospital corridors.