Man City now have four options to banish transfer failing

Manchester City beat Manchester United in the derby last weekend and the Blues now have several contenders to fill a problem position

Abdukodir Khusanov started at right back for Manchester City in the Manchester derby

It was somewhat ironic that in a summer where Manchester City finally ended their search for a natural left back their problem position has switched to the opposite flank.

Rayan Ait-Nouri missed the Manchester derby through injury but will be first choice on the left this season. The right back conundrum wasn't solved this year despite a £300million 2025 spend.

It's the one glaring hole in the City squad and will surely be top of the priority list for next year. For now, the Blues look short with neither Rico Lewis nor Mathues Nunes fully convincing across the first three games.

Both are natural midfielders, both have strengths from right back and both have weaknesses that can be exposed.

Enter Abdukodir Khusanov. The Uzbekistan international was a surprise starter in the derby having recovered from injury and produced an accomplished performance on the right.

His speed is a sizeable asset while his defensive awareness means he offers a more solid option than Lewis or Nunes. The same could be said of John Stones, who has performed well in that role in the past.

The England international could perhaps be the pick for Arsenal given the firepower the Gunners possess and Stones' physicality to deal with the set pieces that Mikel Arteta's side thrive on.

It might be horses for courses as the games come thick and fast over the next few months. Lewis, for example, proved against Wolves that he can thrive when City dominate the ball. Nunes offers a stronger option if Stones or Khusanov are needed in the centre or face fitness issues.

There might not be a perfect pick, but City do seem to have four options that could provide enough cover to ensure the Blues are balanced and capable of challenging for honours at home and abroad.

It was one of the main talking points on this week's Talking City podcast, where MEN writers Alex James and Tyrone Marshall discussed the issue.

"I felt the need to play John Stones out there if he's fit," said James. "Obviously Khusanov did, but maybe for the same reasons as a more solid defensive option.

"If you've got Khusanov as an option at right back, and potentially Stones and obviously Nunes and Lewis, it doesn't look perhaps as much of a problem as it did before the derby. It is still not a long-term fix, mind."

Marshall added: "Four Premier League games and three different starters at right back, but there are options there.

"I have been talking about Khusanov as an option since the summer, purely because he brings that pace that Walker had.

"The high line that City play, it feels like they always need a fast defender. I think that pace is a worthy option at right back.

"I wondered whether he was in the team because of the new 'keeper and one of the clear differences with Donnarumma is his starting position is a lot deeper than Ederson's. City are still going to play the high line so maybe there is more of a need to get that pace in the team."

Listen to the latest Talking City episode here.