Man City’s unstoppable XI if Cristiano Ronaldo rocks Man Utd by sealing transfer

Man City: The first six fixtures of the 2021/22 Premier League

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Manchester City are interested in signing Cristiano Ronaldo before the summer transfer window closes. The Juventus star is being eyed as an alternative to Harry Kane, who will now be staying at Tottenham. And though any deal for the Manchester United icon is problematic, it can’t be ruled out.

According to ESPN, City are open to signing Ronaldo before the transfer window slams shut.

The 36-year-old is willing to leave Juventus behind, despite the Old Lady publicly insisting he’ll be staying put.

And with City poised to miss out on Kane, who today said he’d be remaining with Tottenham, a possible transfer could take place.

Any deal would likely anger United and everybody associated with the Red Devils.

So Express Sport will now take a look at how Pep Guardiola’s team could line up if Ronaldo completes a blockbuster move to the Etihad Stadium.

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Goalkeeper: Ederson

Whatever happens this summer, City won’t be signing a goalkeeper.

They struggled in that position when Guardiola initially took charge five years ago, jettisoning Joe Hart shortly afterwards.

Claudio Bravo struggled for form as their No 1 following his move from Barcelona.

But they’ve been onto a winner with Ederson ever since, with the Brazil international establishing himself as one of the best goalkeepers on the planet.

The former Benfica star has kept one clean sheet from two matches so far this term as he looks to win the Golden Glove.

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Defence: Walker, Stones, Dias, Cancelo

City are likely to go with four at the back throughout the majority of the campaign.

Kyle Walker, when fully fit and firing, will walk into the team in the right-back position.

At left-back, Joao Cancelo will play there with Benjamin Mendy struggling for consistency throughout his time at the Etihad.

And, in the middle, Ruben Dias and John Stones will partner up.

That means Nathan Ake will have to settle for spending the majority of the season on the bench, having failed to really kick on since his move from Bournemouth 12 months ago.

Midfield: Rodri, De Bruyne, Gundogan

It’s so hard to fit players into City’s XI when you look at the strength of their squad.

But we’ve given it our best go – and decided to go with Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan.

Gundogan impressed playing in a more advanced role last term, actually finishing as their top scorer of the campaign.

De Bruyne, meanwhile, has been a major success story ever since his move from Wolfsburg when Manuel Pellegrini was in charge.

And Rodri can provide the defensive foundations for the offensive players to thrive.

Attack: Mahrez, Ronaldo, Grealish

Say City sign Ronaldo.

Then it’s likely he’ll be deployed as a central striker, an area they’re short in following Sergio Aguero’s move to Barcelona.

As a £100million player, Jack Grealish has to be included in the team somehow.

So we’ve put him on the left wing, where he sometimes was used by Aston Villa during his time with his boyhood club.

On the right should be Riyad Mahrez, who has nailed down the role ahead of Raheem Sterling over the past year.

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