According to the Manchester Evening News, with the summer transfer window closed and all teams' squads finalized, attention now turns to the pitch. Maresca's start as Manchester City manager has been perfect, winning the first two matches and sitting at the top of the early season table ahead of the home game against Coventry this weekend.

Manchester City may be slightly thin in some positions, and squad depth might limit their ability to compete on multiple fronts, but the Blues still have enough quality to field a starting XI capable of challenging top teams domestically and internationally. Given the abundance of talented players available for several positions, settling on a starting eleven is by no means an easy task.

A few starters are certain: Donnarumma and Haaland are the undisputed first choices at opposite ends of the team; the midfield duo of Enzo Fernández and Elliott Anderson, valued at a combined £240 million, will orchestrate Manchester City's attack; captain Rúben Dias will start at centre-back.

Guehi appears to be Dias's ideal partner, with his leadership, ability to drive forward into midfield, and excellent positioning being key attributes.

Although Nico O'Reilly previously played as a midfielder and Nunes does not fit Maresca's defensive system as well as he did under Guardiola, both remain the preferred choices for the full-back positions.

This means Gvardiol, who can play on the left or at centre-back, and Khusanov are temporarily out of the starting lineup, although both featured in the first two matches of the season.

In attack, Manchester City has a strong squad, with Semenyo and Doku appearing to be the preferred starting wingers, but new £60 million signing Ndiaye will clearly not be content with a substitute role.

In the number 10 position, Cherki has been in fine form at the start of the season: providing two assists as a substitute against Bournemouth and scoring twice away at Crystal Palace. Foden, who started both of the first two league games this season, is currently second choice for his preferred position.

Bouaddi joined for £81 million this summer, but Maresca and Manchester City are reluctant to place too much pressure on the young player, even though the club internally believes he has the mental resilience and ability to compete in the Premier League.

In terms of squad depth, in goal there are Gerónimo Rulli and Marcus Bettinelli; in defence there are Vitór Reis, Rayan Aït-Nouri and Rico Lewis; and in midfield there is Kovačić.

This is a small but strong squad, and the starting eleven has the potential to challenge for all available trophies.

Manchester City's preferred starting lineup: Donnarumma; O'Reilly, Dias, Guehi, Nunes; Anderson, Fernández, Cherki; Semenyo, Doku, Haaland.

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