Super Cup Success Does Not Mask Cracks In Manchester City's Facade

Manchester City's treble winners have added more silverware to their collection, but a UEFA Super Cup victory over Sevilla only exposed some cracks in Pep Guardiola's squad ahead of another demanding campaign. Sevilla had begun their campaign last weekend with a disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Valencia and finished 12th in La Liga last season. But the Europa League winners should have picked up another European trophy in Athens. Youssef En-Nesyri's header powered the Spaniards into a first-half lead, but the Moroccan was guilty of missing two huge chances when one-on-one with Ederson after the break.

City badly missed the creativity of Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva, who were sidelined by injury and illness respectively.

De Bruyne's four-month absence due to a serious hamstring injury has exacerbated the loss of goals from midfield caused by the departures of Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez since the end of last season.

Mahrez's exit to Saudi Arabia has opened the door for Cole Palmer to make his impact on the first team.

The England Under-21 international won man of the match after his headed equaliser rounded off a fine individual display.

Yet, Guardiola was far from convinced after the match that even Palmer would be part of his squad once the transfer market closes on September 1.

He has been linked with a move to West Ham as a makeweight in City's pursuit of Brazilian international Lucas Paqueta.

"I don't know (if he will stay)," said the City boss. "When we arrived (to Athens), I had the opinion that he wanted to leave but now I don't know.

"I don't think a loan is going to happen. He's going to stay or he's going to be sold."

Gruelling schedule

Under the baking heat in the Greek capital, Guardiola made only