Need to know
Manchester City are aiming to win the Premier League for the first time since the 2023/24 season
Manchester City celebrate their late 2-1 victory over AFC Bournemouth on the opening day of the season
Manchester City celebrate their late 2-1 victory over AFC Bournemouth on the opening day of the season(Image: Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Everything you need to know about Manchester City fans' title race verdict:
City are having a summer of change. Pep Guardiola's departure at the end of last season signalled the end of an era. He was replaced by Enzo Maresca following a drawn-out negotiation period with Chelsea.
Bernardo Silva and John Stones left the club at the end of their contracts in June. Since then, Rodri has joined Barcelona while Tijjani Reijnders, James Trafford, Savinho and Omar Marmoush have also left. Nico Gonzalez is also close to departing.
The Blues' mission to replace them has taken time to kick into gear. Elliot Anderson arrived during the World Cup and has been joined by Ayyoub Bouaddi. Allan Elias is also close to arriving from Palmeiras.
Maresca is now making a move to sign Enzo Fernandez, with an opening offer of £100m being prepared. Another forward could also be targeted before the summer transfer window shuts. Liverpool's Cody Gakpo has been linked with City recently.
After a humbling 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield, City bounced back on Sunday with a late comeback win against AFC Bournemouth on Sunday.
MEN Sport has asked our City readers: "Where do you think Manchester City will finish in the league this season after late Bournemouth comeback?"
At the time of writing, 2,725 votes had been cast, with the majority (36 per cent) voting 'Champions'. Interestingly, the second-most popular answer, with 19 per cent of the vote, was '5th or lower'.
Finishing second received 17 per cent of the vote with third just behind on 16 per cent. The most unlikely outcome, according to our readers, is a fourth-place finish with just 12 per cent voting for that.
If City are to win the title, Maresca will need to get his new team gelling quickly. After the win over Bournemouth, the Italian head coach admitted he did not know his best team yet. Read the full story here.