Manchester United great Bryan Robson believes his former club are closing the gap on City – and claims Enzo Maresca has a weaker squad than last season.
Robson was speaking to talkSPORT when he was asked about United’s prospects and whether they could challenge their neighbours.
“We’re not far off,” he said.
Robson then offered a more provocative assessment of City.
“Man City have weakened their squad,” he added.
It is a claim that should provoke plenty of debate given the scale of the changes at the Etihad this summer.
Have Man City really weakened?
There is certainly an argument that City have lost proven quality.
Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders have all left, while Sávio completed his £75million move to Tottenham this week.
Nico Gonzalez is closing in on a £52m switch to Newcastle and Omar Marmoush is also set to join Tottenham.
That is a significant amount of experience and depth to remove from one squad.
City have hardly stood still.
Elliot Anderson arrived from Nottingham Forest for a club-record £116m before City completed the signing of 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille for a package worth up to £86m.
That represents a potential £202m investment in two midfielders alone.
City have also signed winger Jeremy Monga and goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli, while further business is expected before the transfer window closes.
Robson’s argument may therefore come down to whether City’s new-look squad can immediately replace what has been lost.
Maresca has younger options and the club have spent heavily to reshape his midfield. What those players do not yet have is the years of proven success at City provided by the likes of Rodri and Bernardo.
Whether Manchester United are ready to take advantage is another matter.
But Robson’s verdict should give City supporters something to argue about.
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