Juanma Lillo and Rodri admissions show Man City are still evolving from last season

The start of Manchester City's treble defence has hardly been ideal.

The inspirational captain has left, along with two other experienced players who played key roles in getting City to the top of European football. Three replacements have arrived, but two are 21 and will need time to adapt. Then there is the long-term injury to talisman Kevin De Bruyne, with either illness or injury hitting John Stones, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and Manu Akanji.

Oh, and the man who's made everything happen at City is currently 1000 miles away in Barcelona recovering from back surgery. For City to win four games from four after the Community Shield loss on penalties is a fine return given the circumstances and scheduling hurdles.

Against Sheffield United, City were unfazed by an 85th-minute equaliser against them and simply went again to reclaim the three points. It was a sign of champions to leave the Battle of Bramall Lane with the victory, with post-match comments from the coach and matchwinner pointing to another sign that there is a squad of relentless winners at the club.

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Standing in for Pep Guardiola, Juanma Lillo noted that the first half at Sheffield United saw the hosts frustrate the champions and pull their dual number 10s out of position.

"In the second half he [Julian Alvarez] was a lot closer to Erling. We found it difficult to find him in the first half. Jack [Grealish] and Bernardo [Silva] had to come out of position for the circulation of the ball so we could come back in through the inside. We didn’t find Julian in those moments. It was hard."

After a team talk from Lillo (with Guardiola's input), City were more intense and