Jamie Jackson

Manager goes into Sunday’s showdown with Arsenal as a subplot bubbles regarding whether this is a farewell title tilt Manchester City versus Arsenal on Sunday is a showdown for the ages. Second hosting first at what is likely to be a febrile Etihad Stadium might well be scripted by a Hollywood studio. Enter Pep Guardiola and the box‑office subplot of whether this could be his swansong season and, as such, a farewell tilt at the championship of an epoch-defining period piloting City. Lose to Arsenal and Guardiola’s hope of a seventh crown will be all but extinguished. He would have “only” the FA Cup left to add to 16 major honours won while in charge at City, the last being last month’s fifth League Cup triumph – over Arsenal. Defeat the visitors, however, and you would not bet against Guardiola leading his team home for a grandstand finish to the campaign – and his tenure. City would be only three points behind Arsenal with an extra match to play.

‘Twenty-two years without title … if they win it’s over’ City manager enjoys watching rivals despite criticism Pep Guardiola believes if Manchester City replicate their second-half Carabao Cup final display against Arsenal “for 95 minutes” in Sunday’s pivotal title meeting with Mikel Arteta’s side they will win, though the manager expects his opposite number to make adjustments for this key clash. Arsenal dominated initially when the teams met last month at Wembley before City gradually became ascendant, Guardiola’s side in control after the break as two goals from Nico O’Reilly claimed the trophy. Guardiola was asked if City would prevail again at the Etihad Stadium if they perform as they did at Wembley. “If we play like the second half during 95 minutes and they play like the second half during 95 minutes, we are going to win,” said the manager.

31-year-old has been at club for nine years Portuguese says he will be ‘a City supporter for life’ Bernardo Silva has confirmed he will leave Manchester City in May, with the captain saying he cherishes the legacy he has helped build in nine years at the club, winning the 2022-23 treble and a record four consecutive league titles. Silva joined City from Monaco in July 2017 for £43.5m and has been a key member of the generational success of Pep Guardiola’s team, winning six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups, the Champions League and a Fifa Club World Cup. Including the Community Shield and Uefa Super Cup, the Portuguese has 19 honours with City.

Midfielder expected to earn £120,000 a week New deal marks turnaround for Mainoo under Carrick Michael Carrick has indicated Kobbie Mainoo is moving closer to signing a new contract with Manchester United, saying negotiations are “in a good place”. The 20-year-old, whose deal expires in the summer of 2027, is expected to earn about £120,000 a week, a marked increase on his current terms, which are in the region of £25,000 a week. “It’s getting closer, so we’re positive about that,” said Carrick. “We’re calm with it, but we’re positive with it and time will tell how it goes. But at the moment, we are in a good place.”

Captain deserves good farewell, says assistant manager Silva has interest from Barcelona as contract ends in June Pep Lijnders has revealed that Bernardo Silva will leave Manchester City in the summer, with the assistant manager hoping the captain is given a fitting farewell. The 31-year-old Silva, whose contract expires in June, has been in impressive form this season but Lijnders stated it will be his last for City.

Manchester City midfielder can leave if ‘not happy’ ‘My wish is that Rodri could stay as long as possible’ Pep Guardiola will not stand in Rodri’s way if the midfielder wishes to leave Manchester City for Real Madrid, though the manager believes he will stay at the club beyond this summer. During the international break Rodri, whose contract expires in June 2027, was asked about reports that Real’s president, Florentino Pérez, wished to sign him. When answering, the 29-year-old referenced how being a former Atlético Madrid player would be no obstacle.