Keeping faith with youth could have halted City's rot

Manchester City's slump continues to amaze. Judging by those lingering camera shots where he cannot hide a combination of sorrow and bemusement, Pep Guardiola numbers among the amazed.

- John Brewin

He appears powerless to restore their dominance, to stop his team becoming just another vulnerable side.

When a team enter decline, talk of a "clear-out" is soon to follow. These are the dark murmurings heard in the concourses at the Etihad Stadium, a place of deep unhappiness as the empire collapses. Guardiola is yet to feel the brunt of disquiet.

Instead, the players are taking the blame.

Was Jack Grealish a £100 million (S$171 million) flop? Will Kevin de Bruyne ever complete 90 minutes again? Where is Bernardo Silva's sheen? Should the forward line be built around Erling Haaland, who barely touches the ball?

City are in dire need of back-up in every department - defensive reinforcements, a Rodri replacement in Martin Zubimendi and possibly more support for Haaland, while also providing more competition for him.