Joshua Zirkzee is not feeling any pressure as he looks to make his mark at Manchester United.

Having come on from the bench to make his United debut, Zirkzee scored in the 87th minute to seal a 1-0 win over Fulham on Friday in the first Premier League match of the 2024-25 season.

Zirkzee joined United from Serie A club Bologna in July, and with Rasmus Hojlund injured, swiftly made an impact at Old Trafford.

And the former Bayern Munich attacker knows it is about as good a start as he could have asked for.

Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: "It's the perfect one, no? In front of the Stretford End. And a win as well, it couldn't be any better.

"It's been very good [since I arrived]. The group have been amazing, I feel very comfortable and at home here. I'm having a very good time.

"Of course it's a big club, but we just work hard every day and focus on what we want to achieve, and that's being the best we can be. At the moment I don't really feel any pressure.

"I look forward to working with everyone here. That includes all the staff. Everyone has been great.

"Of course having Ruud van Nistlerooy in the staff as a striker, you have to be grateful for that. Everyone has been great, it's a pleasure to be here."

Following Zirkzee's winner this evening, 22 players have now scored in their first Premier League appearance for United, with only Chelsea (27) and Aston Villa (26) having more debutant scorers in the competition's history. 

Zirkzee, meanwhile, is the 15th Dutch player to score on his Premier League debut, and the fourth to do so while at United, after Van Nistelrooy, Alexander Buttner and Donny van de Beek.

His goal came from his only attempt on target.

"It was very important to get the first goal as a striker," said manager Erik ten Hag.

"For him it is very pleasing because strikers have to score. That is the first ability you have to show when you come as a striker to a new club."

Joshua Zirkzee scored a late winner on his Manchester United debut as the Red Devils claimed a 1-0 victory over Fulham in the first Premier League match of 2024-25.

After recording their lowest-ever Premier League finish last season, United looked set to be frustrated at Old Trafford on Friday until their new striker diverted a deft finish past Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno in the 87th minute.

Introduced midway through the second half by Erik ten Hag, Zirkzee applied the crucial touch to fellow substitute Alejandro Garnacho’s teasing centre to settle the contest.

Bruno Fernandes had earlier squandered United’s best chances, with Leno in excellent form for the visitors, making two saves from the Portuguese playmaker in swift succession.

Leno denied Mason Mount at the start of the second half, though Fulham were left to rue some missed openings at the other end when Zirkzee charged into the area to nudge home.

Alejandro Garnacho fluffed his lines when teed up by Marcus Rashford deep in second-half stoppage time, but the miss did not prove costly as United secured a winning start to the new campaign.

Data Debrief: Dutch delight

Zirkzee became the 15th Dutch player to score on his Premier League debut, with four of those doing so for United (also Ruud van Nistelrooy, Alexander Buttner and Donny van de Beek).

His goal ensured United have more wins (22) and more points (70) from their opening games of Premier League campaigns than any other side. The Red Devils are featuring in their 100th season in top-flight football, making them the fifth different team to reach the milestone after Everton, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Arsenal.

Bournemouth have confirmed the signing of Evanilson from Porto for a club-record fee.

The forward has joined in a deal worth up to £40.2million.

He joined Porto in 2020 and went on to make 154 appearances in all competitions, netting 60 goals and registering 21 assists.

His 13 league goals last season were the most of any Porto player, while he also had the second-most shots of anyone on the team in the Primeira Liga (76).

"We are delighted to bring someone with an immense pedigree to AFC Bournemouth," chief executive Neill Blake said.

"Evanilson is a hugely sought-after striker and for us to bring him to the club in a record-breaking deal shows our ambition and intent.

"Having scored 25 goals last season, including goals in the Champions League, we feel that his experience and ability, despite only being 24, will help us to match our ambitions moving forward."

Bournemouth had also shown interest in Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah, but have chosen the Brazilian to replace Dominic Solanke, who was sold for a club-record fee of £65million to Tottenham.

Evanilson is the seventh Bournemouth signing so far, with Andoni Iraola's side set to kick off their Premier League campaign against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Rodri has "no chance" of featuring for Manchester City in their opening Premier League fixture against Chelsea.

The midfielder was integral to City winning an unprecedented fourth Premier League title last season, playing a team-high 2,937 minutes in the top flight.

He scored eight goals and set up a further nine before then playing a key role in Spain's success at Euro 2024.

However, Rodri - who returned to training late following an extended break after his exploits with La Roja in Germany - will not be ready to play for City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

"No chance," replied Pep Guardiola when asked if Rodri would feature, with City's manager having also said: "He is in training. He feels good."

While Rodri's absence has not prevented City from loaning out Kalvin Phillips to Ipswich Town, the champions will be hoping the 28-year-old is back in the fold soon.

Rodri has not been involved in a Premier League defeat since a loss to Tottenham in February 2023.

Since then, City have played 55 matches in the competition, with Rodri featuring in 50 of those.

With Rodri in the team, City have claimed 41 wins (82%) and nine draws. Yet Guardiola's team have lost four of the five games Rodri has not featured in, winning just one (20%). Their points per game drops from 2.6 with Rodri in the side in that time, to 0.6 without.

City's contingent of England players to have featured in the Euro 2024 final – John Stones, Phil Foden and Kyle Walker – are available, though Guardiola does not think they will play the whole match.

He said: "I'm pretty sure they won’t be ready for 90 minutes, maybe yes, maybe 15 minutes."

"The important thing is everybody is back and except for Oscar [Bobb] the rest are OK."

Oliver Glasner said he is planning for Crystal Palace's opening game of the Premier League season against Brentford with Marc Guehi in his side amid links of a move away. 

Guehi, who starred for England at Euro 2024, has been the subject of interest from Newcastle, with a reported fourth bid for the defender rejected by the Eagles on Friday. 

Since his move to Selhurst Park in 2021, the 24-year-old has made 98 league appearances, but in the 16 games he has missed, Palace average more goals against them (1.6) compared to 1.3 with him in the side. 

Chairman Steve Parish said Newcastle would have to pay "superstar money" for Guehi earlier this week, with Glasner confirming he remains in contention to feature on Sunday. 

"Marc trained today and we talked together," Glasner said. "I've had no other information. I'll have to look at my bank account and see if anything came in!

"We plan with Marc. He's our player and our captain, I can't tell you anything else.

"As long as no one tells me they will leave or the club tells me someone will leave, then we will work with them every day and prepare the team."

Brentford, meanwhile, are looking to improve on their 16th place finish in the Premier League last season as Thomas Frank prepares for his sixth campaign in charge. 

The Bees finished 13 points above the relegation zone last year, but have strengthened in the forward areas with the arrival of Fabio Carvalho from Liverpool. 

Frank, however, suffered a blow in his first pre-season fixture as club-record signing Igor Thiago suffered a meniscus injury that will keep him out until the end of 2024. 

Despite losing the Brazilian striker, Frank is happy with the players he has for their opening fixture, saying: "I am very happy with what we've got, overall.  

"What I've found out is, it is difficult, say you want a left winger, then to get the right one, at the right level, at the right time is sometimes difficult.

"So of course if we only have one winger and we need four, then of course, we need to buy.

"You’ve got to get the best possible player that can make the squad stronger. We are trying to do everything we can to improve."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Brentford – Ivan Toney

Despite rumours of a potential exit, Ivan Toney remains a Brentford player for their first encounter of the 2024-25 season, and he will be keen to hit the ground running.

After scoring in four of his first five games following his return from suspension, Toney has now gone 12 Premier League games without a goal. 

Only once has he had a longer drought in English league football, going 15 games between December 2015 and August 2016 during spells with Barnsley, Newcastle and Shrewsbury Town.

Crystal Palace – Ismaila Sarr

Having lost Michael Olise to Bayern Munich, Palace have aimed to fill the gap left by the Frenchman with the arrival of Ismaila Sarr from Marseille. 

During Sarr's previous spell in English league football between 2019 and 2023, he led all Watford players in goals (33), assists (17), chances created (124), total shots (251) and touches in the opposition box (539).

Only Joao Pedro (242) completed more dribbles than the Senegal international (208) for the Hornets, and Glasner will be hopeful of an instant impact against the Bees. 

MATCH PREDICTION: BRENTFORD WIN

For the third time in four Premier League seasons, Brentford are beginning the campaign with a London derby. They beat Arsenal 2-0 in 2021-22, before a 2-2 draw with Spurs last season.

But after a 14-game unbeaten run in top flight derbies in the capital between October 2022 and November 2023, Brentford have now lost five of their last seven against fellow London opponents (D2).

And Palace have proved to be one of those difficult opponents, with Brentford failing to triumph in all six of their Premier League meetings with the Eagles (D5 L1). 

It’s both the joint-most the Bees have faced a side in the competition without ever winning (also six v Newcastle) and the joint-most the Eagles have faced a side without ever losing (also six v QPR).

Glasner will be hoping to continue Palace's form from the end of last season having won six of their final seven games (D1), winning the last three in a row by an aggregate score of 12-1. 

The Eagles won 1-0 on the opening day of the 2023-24 season against Sheffield United, but haven’t won their first league match in consecutive campaigns since 2006-07/2007-08.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Brentford – 41.2%

Draw – 26.7%

Crystal Palace – 32.1%

Julian Alvarez believes moving to Atletico Madrid will allow him to become "the best version" of himself, having left Manchester City in a €95million (£81.5m) deal.

Alvarez called time on his two-year stay at the Etihad Stadium earlier this week, having won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup after joining from River Plate in 2022.

The Argentina international scored 36 goals in 103 appearances for Pep Guardiola's side, 19 of which came in 54 outings last season.

No other City player made as many appearances as Alvarez across all competitions and Guardiola was keen to keep him at the club, but the 24-year-old had his heart set on a new challenge.  

"I felt like I needed a change in my career, a new challenge," Alvarez told reporters at his Atletico unveiling on Friday.

"I feel like this is a club where I can get the tools and the space to become the best version of myself as a football player.

"From the very first moment, even before it was official, people have been very supportive. Many fans were at the airport waiting for the flight to land.

"That support and affection from the beginning makes me really happy. It makes me confident too. I'm very grateful."

Alvarez is the most expensive of three signings made by Atleti ahead of the new campaign, which they begin by travelling to Villarreal on Monday.

Diego Simeone's men have also spent €34.5m on centre-back Robin Le Normand from Real Sociedad, as well as completing a €32m swoop for Villarreal striker Alexander Sorloth.

They saw a potential move for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher stall this week, however, due to the collapse of an agreement over Samu Omorodion going the other way.

Pep Guardiola says Joao Cancelo could still have a future at Manchester City despite falling out of favour in recent seasons.

The right-back spent the second half of the 2022-23 campaign with Bayern Munich after a falling out with Guardiola over a lack of playing time before being loaned to Barcelona last season.

He originally joined the Citizens in August 2019 in a deal worth £60million, making him the most expensive right-back in history, and his current contract with the club runs until 2027. 

At Barcelona, Cancelo led the defenders in chances created (35), crosses (82) and shots (32) in 2023-24, but the Catalan club chose not to bring him back to Camp Nou for a second season.

In 2021-22, the 30-year-old's last full campaign at City, he played the most minutes of any outfielder for the team, while he also was involved in more attacking sequences than anyone else in the league (244).

Now, however, Guardiola faces the dilemma of whether to integrate Cancelo back into the squad, with no other clubs making an approach for him in the transfer window.

"He's training with us," said the Spaniard.

"We will see. Maybe he will stay, maybe he will go on loan. I don't know yet.

"About what's going to happen, it depends on his agents and the club. In the end, if he has to stay, we will treat him like all the other players, with respect, and try to take the best from the huge qualities he has."

Southampton have completed the £15million signing of striker Cameron Archer from Aston Villa.

Archer initially left Villa for Sheffield United last year, making 29 Premier League appearances in his first campaign as a top-flight regular and scoring four goals despite the Blades finishing bottom.

Villa retained a buy-back clause on the 22-year-old, however, which they activated in June before handing him minutes throughout pre-season.

However, with Ollie Watkins, Jhon Duran, Leon Bailey and Morgan Rogers providing competition in attack, Archer was unlikely to get regular gametime and has now sealed a move to newly promoted Southampton.

Archer has signed a four-year deal with Russell Martin's Saints, who open their Premier League campaign with a trip to Newcastle United on Saturday. 

The forward cited Martin's style of play as one of the main attractions of the move when speaking to the club's website, saying: "That was one of the main reasons why I'm here, his playing style, his coaching and him trying to improve me as a player.

"I just want to keep scoring goals and improve myself as a player, and I don't think there's a better place to do that than Southampton."

Tottenham have completed the signing of winger Wilson Odobert from Burnley for an undisclosed fee, reportedly in the region of €31.5million.

Odobert joined Burnley from Troyes upon their promotion to the Premier League last year and was a bright spark in a disappointing campaign for the Clarets, who were relegated back to the Championship.

The France Under-21 international scored three goals in 29 Premier League appearances for Burnley, also contributing two assists.

Only Johann Gudmundsson (35) and Josh Brownhill (34) bettered his 31 chances created for Burnley in 2023-24, while he attempted (110) and completed (53) more dribbles than any of his team-mates.

Odobert also led all of his team-mates for shot-ending carries (20) and ranked joint-first for chances created following a carry, alongside Sander Berge (11).

Tottenham had been linked with several wingers ahead of the new season, including Pedro Neto, who left Wolves for Chelsea in a €60m (£51.4m) deal last week.

On Friday, Spurs announced Odobert as their fifth new signing ahead of Ange Postecoglou's second season at the helm, after Dominic Solanke, Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Min-hyeok Yang.

The club confirmed Odobert has penned a five-year contract and will wear the number 28 shirt, with his debut potentially coming in their Premier League opener at Leicester City on Monday.

Odobert started Burnley's opening Championship fixture against Luton Town on Monday, scoring their second goal in a 4-1 victory. 

Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal must break records to have any chance of dethroning Premier League champions Manchester City in 2024-25.

Arsenal have finished second to City in each of the last two seasons, leading the table for long periods in both instances, only to fall narrowly short.

The Gunners were just two points away from ending their 20-year title drought in 2023-24, with City clinching an unprecedented fourth straight crown on the final day.

Arsenal have improved their points tally in each of their four full campaigns under Arteta to date, picking up 61 in 2020-21, 69 in 2021-22, 84 in 2022-23 and 89 last term.

The Gunners scored more goals (91) last season than in any other Premier League campaign, while their 29 goals conceded were their fewest since the Invincibles were crowned champions in 2003-04. 

Asked what Arsenal must do to get over the line in 2024-25, Arteta said: "To break more of those records again and win more points, that's for sure. 

"It won't be enough [last season's levels]. With the level we are competing with and every season getting harder, we are going to have to improve again for sure."

Arteta believes his players are highly motivated to go again, adding: "On the last day. I think we had a gathering together with all the club and the players said, 'we're going to do it, we want more'.

"Everyone was saying the same thing, that we're not going to stop here and we want much more. We know how we want to evolve and how the players can evolve."

As well as making David Raya's loan move permanent, Arsenal sanctioned a €45million (£38.4m) swoop for Italy centre-back Riccardo Calafiori this off-season, but he is the only new face to arrive at the Emirates Stadium ahead of 2024-25.

Arteta has refused to rule out further activity, saying: "After the season we had two objectives – the main and most important one was to make sure we are still in love with our players. 

"Then, okay, if there are still opportunities in the market we will look at them. The market is open and things can happen."

Arsenal begin their 2024-25 campaign against Wolves on Saturday, having won 16 of their 18 Premier League games so far in 2024 (one draw, one loss), with their 89% win rate comfortably their best in the competition in any calendar year.

While Arsenal have started their last two Premier League campaigns with a victory, beating Crystal Palace in 2022-23 and Nottingham Forest last year, Wolves have lost their opening match in each of the last three seasons. 

Kalvin Phillips has completed a season-long loan move to Ipswich Town from Manchester City, the Tractor Boys confirmed on Friday.

Phillips, who spent the second half of the 2023-24 campaign on loan with West Ham, could be available for the visit of Liverpool in their opening game of the season. 

The 28-year-old has struggled to regain the form shown at Leeds prior to his £42m move to City in 2022, making just 30 appearances for Pep Guardiola's side. 

He aimed to put himself in contention for England's Euro 2024 squad with a temporary switch to the Hammers, but that failed to transpire as he endured a difficult spell at the London Stadium.

Phillips started three times for West Ham, losing possession on 49 occasions in his 10 league games, including on his debut, which resulted in Dominic Solanke netting for Bournemouth. 

But the midfielder is relishing the opportunity of playing regular minutes in the Premier League, telling Ipswich's club website: “This is a day I’ve been waiting a number of weeks for now and I’m very happy to be here. 

“I’ve had some great conversations with players I know here and also with the manager, who I have heard a lot about, and I’m excited to be here and be part of his team. 

“I want to play as many games as possible, enjoy playing football again and help the team win as many games as possible in the Premier League.”  

Guardiola had earlier confirmed that it was the midfielder's decision to go on loan to the Tractor Boys, insisting the door is still open for a return to the City starting line-up. 

"Kalvin has gone to Ipswich. I think it's already done, you never know until it's happened. He decided to go there," Guardiola said in his pre-match press conference.

"You have to have minutes and recover. Play, play, play. Maybe there is a chance to come back here in the future."

Enzo Maresca says Conor Gallagher is training at Chelsea but will not be involved against Manchester City as he looks to "find a solution with the club".

Gallagher had flown to Spain last week to finalise a move to Atletico Madrid, but the transfer has stalled due to the collapse of an agreement over Samu Omorodion going the other way.

The England international, who has made 95 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions, netting 10 goals and registering 10 assists, has since returned to London while negotiations continue.

Maresca confirmed that while Gallagher has returned, he is training separately while talks between the clubs are still ongoing.

"Gallagher is back and he is training. He is doing some medical tests and training separately, so he won't be involved in this game," Maresca said in a press conference.

"He is also trying to find a solution with the club, so we will see what happens.

"Unfortunately, these things happen every summer. All clubs have problems but, hopefully, for him, this situation will finish where the player, club and manager will be happy."

Chelsea have already bought nine additions in the transfer window, meaning Maresca has 43 players to work with in his squad, and reports suggest more could be coming, with Joao Felix and Victor Osimhen being linked to the club.

Having stepped in to replace Mauricio Pochettino, who only spent one year with the Blues before departing, the Italian has asked for patience as he tries to find the right balance.

"Some clubs work with a manager for eight years, so with time we will close the gap and hopefully that can happen soon," Maresca added.

"Sometimes it sounds like an excuse from managers, and I know timing in football is difficult, but in our case, with the process and ideas, we will close the gap.

"We need their [fans'] support because when you are on the pitch, and you can hear the fans behind the team, it is like 12 players. If they support us and be patient, then we will pay them back with performance and results."

Julen Lopetegui insisted that he will not "put limits on our dreams" ahead of West Ham's opening game of the Premier League season against Aston Villa. 

Lopetegui, who is taking charge of his second team in England's top flight, has overseen several new arrivals at the London Stadium in the past few weeks. 

Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Fullkrug have all put pen to paper on deals with the Hammers, but the Spaniard knows that it will take more than just new faces to achieve their end goal. 

"I don't put limits on our dreams. The only way you can achieve dreams is by working," Lopetegui said. 

"We can talk about ambitions, but the most important thing is to work hard every day, especially on the bad days.

"We need to work with good energy and progress step by step."

Meanwhile, Aston Villa are gearing up for the new season along with their first Champions League campaign since 1983 following a fourth-placed finish last season.

They have also made additions, with Unai Emery welcoming eight new arrivals to bolster their squad after seeing injuries threaten to derail their campaign last year. 

However, manager Unai Emery insisted that the Premier League remained a priority, calling for consistency as they aim to navigate a hectic fixture schedule. 

"The first objective is 38 Premier League matches. Then, to play in the Champions League is really the way we want to be competitive," Emery said.

"To win a title through the Champions League, we could, but it would be very difficult.

"We’re not refusing this option, but we have to be competitive and consistent in the Premier League."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

West Ham – Crysencio Summerville

Last season's Championship Player of the Year, Summerville, will be hoping to hit the ground running in what will be his third crack at the Premier League. 

The Dutchman was involved in 28 goals last season for Leeds (19 goals and nine assists excluding the play-offs), with only Southampton’s Adam Armstrong (34) and Blackburn’s Sammie Szmodics (31) involved in more.

Aston Villa – Ollie Watkins

Off the back of his most prolific scoring season with Villa and a semi-final strike for England at Euro 2024, Ollie Watkins has been tipped to challenge for the Golden Boot this time around. 

Watkins joined the Villans from Brentford, but has enjoyed a return to the capital since, scoring more times (13) in games played in London than any other Villa player. 

He has 59 overall in the Premier League, behind only Gabriel Abgonlahor (74) and Dwight Yorke (60) for the West Midlands club. 

MATCH PREDICTION: WEST HAM WIN

West Ham just edge Opta's data-led simulations, handed a win percentage of 41.1% compared to Villa's 32.2%, with a draw given a 26.7% chance of happening. 

But both sides have struggled on the opening day in recent years. The Hammers have lost on five of the six occasions they’ve begun a Premier League campaign against a side who finished in the previous season’s top four. 

They have also won their opening Premier League match in just one of the last eight seasons (D1 L6), beating Newcastle 4-2 in 2021-22. Indeed, the Hammers have lost their opening game in the Premier League more often than any other side (15).

But they have fared better against Saturday's opponents in the head-to-head record. The Hammers have lost just one of their last 12 Premier League games against Aston Villa (W6 D5), which came in a 4-1 loss at Villa Park last season.

Aston Villa have lost their opening Premier League match in each of the last three seasons, conceding 10 goals in those games. They also lost the last time they faced West Ham in their first game, falling to a 1-0 defeat at Upton Park in 2012-13.

Emery's side failed to win any of their last four Premier League games in 2023-24 (D2 L2), their longest run without a win under the Spaniard. The 52-year-old last had a longer run without a league win between May and September 2021 with Villarreal (D4 L1).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

West Ham – 41.1%

Draw – 26.7%

Aston Villa – 32.2%

Kalvin Phillips has completed a season-long loan move to Ipswich from Manchester City, the Tractor Boys confirmed on Friday.

Phillips, who spent the second half of the 2023-24 campaign on loan with West Ham, could be available for the visit of Liverpool in their opening game of the season. 

The 28-year-old has struggled to regain the form shown at Leeds prior to his £42m move to City in 2022, making just 30 appearances for Pep Guardiola's side. 

His move to the Hammers aimed to put him in contention for England's Euro 2024 squad, but that failed to transpire as he endured a difficult spell at the London Stadium.

Phillips started three times for West Ham, losing possession 49 times in his 10 league games, including on his debut, which resulted in Dominic Solanke netting for Bournemouth. 

But the midfielder is relishing the opportunity of playing regular minutes in the Premier League, telling Ipswich's club website: “This is a day I’ve been waiting a number of weeks for now and I’m very happy to be here. 

“I’ve had some great conversations with players I know here and also with the manager, who I have heard a lot about, and I’m excited to be here and be part of his team. 

“I want to play as many games as possible, enjoy playing football again and help the team win as many games as possible in the Premier League.”  

Guardiola had earlier confirmed that it was the midfielder's decision to go on loan to the Tractor Boys, insisting the door is still open for a return to the City starting line-up. 

"Kalvin has gone to Ipswich. I think it's already done, you never know until it's happened. He decided to go there," Guardiola said in his pre-match press conference.

"You have to have minutes and recover. Play, play, play. Maybe there is a chance to come back here in the future."

Manchester City forward Oscar Bobb will be sidelined for "three or four months" after fracturing a bone in his leg, Pep Guardiola has confirmed. 

It was reported on Wednesday that Bobb had suffered a leg injury in training and would undergo medical tests to discover the full extent of the problem.

He started all five of City's pre-season friendlies as well as their Community Shield victory over Manchester United, and was expected to keep his place for Sunday's Premier League opener at Chelsea.

However, Guardiola confirmed during Friday's pre-match press conference that the Norwegian will miss the first few months of the season, with City hopeful he will return before the turn of the year.

"It was in the training session. Unfortunately, he had a big impact and got injured. He is having surgery this afternoon," Guardiola said.

"Hopefully, it will go well and he will be back in three or four months. 

"We are so sad for him, not because of his incredible pre-season, that doesn't matter, but because we are any time there is a long injury. We are looking forward to seeing him again soon."

Bobb made 26 appearances for City totalling 819 minutes in all competitions last season, with seven of those being starts.

He scored two goals and added one assist, netting a memorable stoppage-time winner in a thrilling 3-2 Premier League win at Newcastle United in January. 

After City sold Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid for a club-record €95million (£81.5m) earlier this week, Guardiola was asked whether Bobb's injury left them short and needing to dip into the transfer market.

"Maybe or maybe not, we will see. I'm really pleased with the squad I have, we will see," he said. 

"I'm set. We will see what happens in the market. We can continue to January in that way or maybe we will add some players."