Managing Man City - £115m Man United transfer hijack as decision made after brutal summer snub

Pep Guardiola and Manchester City have started to fly through the gears after a poor start to this season in the Premier League

Manchester City sit fifth in the Premier League as we head into the international break after starting this season off poorly. Pep Guardiola's side seems to have overcome early struggles and now look like a formidable outfit.

The Blues suffered consecutive defeats to Tottenham and Brighton at the start of this campaign and while it looked as though they might not mount a title challenge, their fortunes have shifted dramatically. A 3-0 derby victory against Manchester United was followed by a valiant 1-1 draw away at Arsenal.

With the international break upon us, City are fifth in the top flight and just three points off top spot. The ever-reliable Erling Haaland continues to fire on all cylinders. The Manchester Evening News examines the decisions the club will soon face as well as potential incomings and outgoings when January arrives.

Savinho backed after summer transfer snub

Brazilian winger Savinho only arrived at the Etihad last summer but saw himself linked with a move away 12 months on. Tottenham showed interest in the 21-year-old and a £67million price tag was slapped on Savinho.

However, the player opted to snub the London club in favour of remaining in Manchester. He has since been rewarded with a two-year contract extension and his deal will run until 2031.

Guardiola has started Savinho out wide in the club's last two league fixtures, which ended in 5-1 and 1-0 victories. He was absent during their slow start and it might not be a coincidence that their form has slightly improved as he plays more minutes.

Savinho should continue to be shown faith by the Spanish boss and play more often than not. However, City's attacking line can get rather cramped, with Jeremy Doku, Oscar Bobb, Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki, Omar Marmoush and Bernardo Silva all wanting to slot in.

Bernardo Silva causes dilemma

Club captain Silva is entering a crucial period in his City career. The Portugal star has won all there is to win in sky blue but his current contract is up next summer and he could potentially leave on a free.

Speaking before City's Champions League clash against his former club Monaco, Silva admitted he "knows what to do" when his deal ends and reports from Portugal suggest that could be waving goodbye.

Portuguese outlet Record report that Benfica have a contract ready for Silva to sign in January. As they are a foreign club, they would be able to sign the 31-year-old to a pre-contract agreement and he would then join them in the summer.

From City's perspective, Silva has been a valuable servant and is still the side's skipper, but the player has always reiterated that it would be a "goal" to play for his boyhood side. While letting him depart for free is not ideal, City's frontline is already so deep and they should allow him to go where his heart desires.

Man United target Carlos Baleba eyed

The impactful Rodri could yet again find himself on the sidelines after he was substituted in the 1-0 win against Brentford. It is believed he has suffered a hamstring injury. This setback comes just months after he returned from an ACL injury that limited him to just three league appearances last season.

Rodri is often cited with making City tick and in his absence, Nico Gonzalez was purchased from Porto for £50m. Although he is young, he hasn't made too much of an impact and so with Rodri's injury struggles a worry and the Spaniard approaching 30 years of age, it could be time to plan for the future.

Carlos Baleba was targeted by rivals United this summer and the Brighton star has a £115m asking price. According to ESPN, City were also in the race to sign him and the club should pounce now before their adversaries do to shore up the base of their midfield for the foreseeable.

Baleba has been a revelation for the Seagulls and at just 21 he could star for years to come. He would provide the perfect cover for Rodri while acting as his eventual successor.

The midfielder may also become first-choice sooner rather than later should City be tempted to cash in on Rodri, with the Daily Star reporting Real Madrid are interested in signing him next summer for a suggested £130m.

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