Pep Guardiola has signalled that Manchester City are trending in the right direction and that their rivals should take notice. He suggested the group are showing characteristics from the clubs’ past title-winning campaigns and that this time of year often sparks one of City’s trademark unbeaten runs.

Arsenal have been reeled in by City in two of the past three seasons, and Guardiola is clearly optimistic about repeating that influence. “I have the feeling that we are getting better,” Guardiola smiled after Saturday’s win. “You believe that the past was always perfect when you look back at all the titles and the 100 points. But for the amount of things we achieved, we had a lot of games like today and the resilience was part of that.”

City began the season with a 4–0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers, but then lost their next two matches. After the struggles of the 2024–25 season, when Guardiola’s side finished a distant third behind Arsenal and champions Liverpool, many had doubted the club’s prospects. “Still, we are not top, but we are learning and after what happened we will be closer in the future,” Guardiola warned.

On the field, Erling Haaland remains central to City’s surge. He scored twice against Palace, taking his league tally to 17 after 16 matches. Phil Foden has also regained form, equalling his top-flight goal tally from last term with a seventh Premier League strike, a drive from outside the box against Palace.

Guardiola addressed Foden’s drop last season and placed it in a wider context. “The problem last season was not Phil; it was for everyone, me included,” he explained. On expectations for the attacker, he was unequivocal: “Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely [there is more to come from him],” the Catalan coach promised.

Guardiola added that while Foden’s natural quality is already exceptional, there is still room in areas such as timing and tempo. “He will not improve his incredible quality, because he’s top, at the top. But understanding the game, the way you have certain moments, the way you have to play, and the way you have to accelerate, or sometimes decelerate the game.

“Just the timing, the tempo he will give it, of course, everyone has to improve, everyone.”

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has framed his handling of Kobbie Mainoo around squad balance and the wider fortunes of several academy graduates. Amorim said his 3-4-2-1 formation does not play to Mainoo’s natural strengths and pointed to recent examples among the club’s youngsters to explain limited minutes.

“[Collyer] is from the academy, he played here, went to West Bromwich [Albion] and he’s not playing,” Amorim highlighted. “He played for Manchester United, so sometimes it’s not because he’s from the academy or whatever. It’s the situation that’s happened.”

Amorim added that opportunities are decided by training and match performance. “The door is open for any player to change my mind. But in the end, it’s going to be the training, the games. Of course, he’s not playing so many games, but Kobbs, he had opportunities, especially last year. Everyone had [opportunities]. Especially last year, everyone has.

“Amass is now struggling in the Championship. Chido is not always a starter in U21s. All these guys played when a lot of people were saying, ‘Sack the manager.’ You can see that I’m not worried. I just look at the team and try to win the next game. I will do that until the end.”

Mainoo was reportedly open to a loan move in the summer but the club declined the request. Amorim said there have been no winter-exit talks to date and stressed communication with the player would be welcomed. “First of all, the team comes first,” Amorim vowed. “If Kobbie comes to me and talks to me, I will talk to him.

“I’m not going to say what I’m going to say to Kobbie, but I will be really pleased if Kobbie is coming to talk to me about that. I just want my players [to be] happy and understand that every individual has their goals. The frustration doesn’t help anybody.

“I had some conversations with him, especially last year, and with other players, but about that subject, no, I didn’t speak with him.”

Amorim acknowledged the broader context: Mainoo is one of few senior academy representatives after the summer departures of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho, with an 88-year run of including a graduate in matchday squads at risk. The manager has admitted concern about ending that streak and The Telegraph note some inside United have concerns about how Mainoo has been handled. “Of course [I rate Mainoo], like everyone else,” Amorim insisted. “The problem is we are playing with two [midfielders] and you guys see Kobbie in a different way than I’m seeing.

“Maybe if you play with three midfielders, not with just two, Kobbie will have more minutes. Imagine that this happens. Someone in front is going to lose their spot. Sometimes it’s just the moment.

“I think I proved that if you change my mind [you can get into the team]. Casemiro is the biggest example. He was behind Toby and now he is a starter.

“Kobbs is one more player that I understand all the interests. I understand how important it is. The hopes that you guys and English guys have. I also just want to win. If he’s the right guy, I will put him in. No problem.”

Mohamed Salah’s recent public complaint about his situation at Anfield prompted concern inside Liverpool’s dressing room, but team staff and players say the matter has been managed and negotiations will continue. Opinion was divided when Salah spoke out while the team were struggling, and some feared a split would develop between supporters of the forward and those unhappy with the timing of his remarks.

After being dropped for one further game, Salah was reinstated to the matchday squad for the win over Brighton & Hove Albion, and he broke the Premier League’s single-club goal contribution record in an all-smiles performance that appeared to ease tensions.

Curtis Jones, speaking to Viaplay after the game, said:

“We all love Mo. I love Mo,” Jones told Viaplay after the game. “At my hardest times at the club, you know, he was always one of the ones who was there, I could always speak to. And it’s exactly the same now.

“Mo’s his own man, he’s got his own opinions. And, you know, I don’t think his intentions were to affect the team or anything like that. It was just a personal thing. And as everybody knows, the team, the fans, the staff, we all love Mo. He’s a great guy.

“I don’t really like to speak on another man’s issues or his business and stuff. That has to do with Mo. But at the end of the day, I think the important thing that Mo made clear was that it’s not against the team or anything like that, just a personal issue, and that’s it.”

Club and player held private talks and the immediate tension has subsided, but further negotiations between Liverpool and Salah’s entourage are expected during the winger’s time away at the Africa Cup of Nations as both sides seek a long-term resolution that works for everybody, including manager Slot. Slot has said he has “no reason” to want Salah to leave in January, while Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté backed the forward to play for Liverpool again upon his return.

Interest from the Saudi Pro League and several Middle Eastern clubs remains, and reports suggest a summer move is more feasible than a mid-season exit. Salah is under contract until 2027 after signing an extension in April, meaning any interested club will still need to negotiate with Liverpool to reach a deal in the next 18 months.