Let’s start with Vincent Kompany, who has told Sport360 that this season has been a learning curve and his desire is to stay fit and lead City to trophies next term.
The Belgian defender, who has spent much of this season nursing injuries, has returned to the starting lineup and recent weeks and impressed.
He was outstanding against United in midweek, a performance he was widely praised for, and he says he’s had the support of Pep Guardiola throughout.
“No, nothing is wasted. I’ve improved. I’ve definitely learnt a lot this season, about myself, about football in general,” Kompany told Alam Khan.
“When you are with a top-class manager you just learn, you improve, and I’ve been fortunate to be part of that.
“The manager has been brilliant with me. When I’ve been back to full fitness he has given me my chance. Our relationship is really good.
“I’m naturally always positive. I don’t give up and I don’t see the drama in things, I know it is in my hands. The comeback story is gone now and I just enjoy playing my football and that is it. I’m one of the players, that’s all.”
It’s a fascinating interview and you can read more here.
Over at the Manchester Evening News, their panel of writers have discussed the team Guardiola should pick for the trip to Middlesbrough this afternoon and there’s a common thread.
All three believe 20-year-old striker Gabriel Jesus should start for the Blues, with Simon Bajkowski suggesting a forward line containing both the Brazilian and Sergio Aguero is City’s best bet.
“Bring back Gabriel Jesus,” he writes. “He says he’s ready and he certainly looked sharp in a late cameo against United that came close to getting the winner.
“Aguero worked hard on Thursday and should keep his place up front but there can be room found for Jesus.”
And, finally, the BBC’s Phil McNulty has outlined areas City cam improve next season and win the Premier League title, with ruthlessness in attack high on the agenda.
“Guardiola’s team must get ruthless
“Manchester City - for a team of such enviable attacking riches - often suffer from a frustrating failure to make superiority count.
“It was seen, albeit with large slices of bad luck, in the FA Cup semi-final loss to Arsenal at Wembley and also against Manchester United, when they could not break through despite camping out in their half for almost the entire second period.
“In the league, City dominated at home to Spurs but drew 2-2 in January, and earlier in April they failed to build on dominance and an early Leroy Sane goal in a 2-2 draw at the Gunners.
“Guardiola must believe that with the likes of Sergio Aguero, with 30 goals in all competitions, and the creativity of Kevin de Bruyne, Sane, Raheem Sterling and the emerging brilliance of Gabriel Jesus to call on, this problem will eventually solve itself.”
That’s all for today’s roundup of media activity – see you tomorrow for more of the same.
