New-look City crave winning feeling at Club World Cup

Bolstered by a £IO00 million ($135 million) spending spree ahead of the Club World Cup, Manchester City are determined to erase the memory of a disappointing season by returning to winning ways in the United States.

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For the first time in eight years, City ended the domestic campaign without a major trophy as Pep Guardiola's men surrendered the Premier League crownto Liverpool after anunprecedented four consecutive titles.

A Champions League exit before the last 16 for the first time since 2012/13 and a shock FA Cup final defeat against Crystal Palace compounded a miserable season for a club that has grown used to success since an Abu Dhabi-backed takeover 17 years ago.

At one time the month-long expanded Club World Cup, sandwiched between two gruelling seasons, was the last thing Guardiola or his players appeared to want.

Ballon d’Or winner Rodri hinted back in September that a players’ strike was “close” over fixture congestion.

Defender Manuel Akanji more recently said the City squad was “not exactly overjoyed” at playing in the tournament given the limited rest time.

However, City are keen to turn the page from last season and begin afresh with major changes in the squad and coaching staff.