2025–26 Manchester City F.C. season

Pre-season

The revamped 2025 FIFA Club World Cup spanned the period between the 2024–25 and 2025–26 English football seasons. City's involvement in this competition is documented on their 2024–25 season page.

It had been anticipated that City's squad would need a major overhaul in the summer to remain competitive at the highest level after a trophyless season. While this transition began in the previous January transfer window, further changes were expected, particularly in midfield, at full-back and potentially at centre-half if the club chose to offload some of their aging and injury-prone players. Between 9 and 11 June, the transfers of left-back Rayan Aït-Nouri from Wolverhampton Wanderers; midfielders Tijjani Reijnders from Milan and Rayan Cherki from Lyon; and of back-up goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli from Chelsea were duly completed in time for the players to join the squad for the Club World Cup at a total estimated cost of £112 million.^[1][2][3][4] Goalkeeper and former Manchester City EDS player James Trafford also rejoined the club from Burnley for £31 million, after the Club World Cup.^[5] Key departures included Jack Grealish, who was sent on loan to Everton.^[6] The full squad regrouped for pre-season training at the City Football Academy on 28 July 2025. Fans were welcomed back through a City Are Back open training session at Joie Stadium on 5 August, providing supporters the first chance to see the new signings in action.^[7]

On 7 July 2025, Manchester City announced a friendly against sister club Palermo to contest the inaugural Anglo-Palermitan Trophy. On 2 August, a behind-closed-doors friendly at the City Football Academy against Preston North End was played, ending in a 1–0 win thanks to a goal from Rico Lewis. On 9 August, City's single open, full-match friendly against Palermo resulted in a convincing 3–0 victory.^[8]

Start of season

Manchester City launched their league campaign with an emphatic 4–0 away victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 16 August 2025. Erling Haaland continued his tradition of scoring on opening days, netting a brace with goals in the 34th and 61st minutes. Tijjani Reijnders, making his Premier League debut, scored one and was instrumental in both of Haaland's goals–delivering a dynamic and influential performance.^[9]

City next faced Tottenham Hotspur at the City of Manchester Stadium on 23 August. Tottenham secured a 2–0 victory, with goals from Brennan Johnson in the 35th minute and João Palhinha in first-half stoppage time(45+2). Tottenham's disciplined defence and pressing game under their new manager Thomas Frank proved decisive.^[10]

On 31 August, Manchester City suffered a 2–1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion at the American Express Community Stadium in the Premier League.^[11] Despite taking the lead through Erling Haaland in the 34th minute—his 88th goal in 100 league appearances—City were undone in the second half. Former Blue, James Milner, equalised from the penalty spot in the 67th minute after a hand-ball from Matheus Nunes, and Brajan Gruda netted the winner in the 89th minute following a late surge by Brighton. The loss marked City's second consecutive league defeat, raising concerns about their early-season form.

On transfer deadline day, 1 September 2025, Manchester City concluded several significant moves. The most notable was the signing of Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain for £26 million,^[12] intended to succeed Ederson, who departed for Fenerbahçe after eight seasons at the club.^[13] Other key exits included İlkay Gündoğan to Galatasaray and Manuel Akanji on loan to Inter Milan.^[14][15]

Following the September 2025 international break, Manchester City recorded consecutive victories. On 14 September, City defeated Manchester United 3–0 at home in the Premier League, with goals from Phil Foden and a brace from Erling Haaland.^[16] Four days later, on 18 September 2025, City beat Napoli 2–0 in their opening UEFA Champions League league stage match. Haaland scored his 50th goal in the competition in his 49th appearance, becoming the fastest player to reach the milestone, while Jérémy Doku added the second against the Italian side, who played most of the match with ten men.^[17]

Autumn period

Manchester City resumed their league campaign on 21 September with a 1–1 draw at Arsenal. Erling Haaland put City ahead after nine minutes, but Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time equaliser(90+3) rescued a point for the hosts.^[18][19] Three days later, on 24 September 2025, City advanced in the EFL Cup with a 2–0 victory over Huddersfield Town in the third round, as Phil Foden opened the scoring and Savinho doubled the lead.^[20][21] This was followed up with an emphatic 5–1 Premier League victory over Burnley on 27 September. The match featured two own goals from Maxime Estève, an injury time brace from Haaland, and a strike from Matheus Nunes, while Rico Lewis marked his 100th senior appearance for the club.^[22][23] This result left City in seventh place and five points behind early leaders and defending champions Liverpool.

In their second match of the Champions League league phase, City drew Monaco 2–2 away from home.^[24] Erling Haaland opened the scoring in the 15th minute, before Jordan Teze equalised three minutes later. Despite City taking a 2–1 lead into half-time thanks to another Haaland header, they were unable to maintain their advantage as Eric Dier converted a late penalty to secure a point for Monaco.

A further Haaland goal and a 1–0 away win at Brentford on 5 October meant City went into the second international break in fifth place, just three points behind new league leaders Arsenal. Haaland's 12 goals in nine appearances so far this season had elevated him to the top of the European Golden Shoe standings alongside Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé, and into the list of the top 10 all-time City goalscorers after just over three seasons at the club.^[25]

Returning to domestic competition, City extended their winning run with a 2–0 home victory over Everton on 19 October, with Haaland reaching double figures for league goals.^[26] Three days later, City recorded another 2–0 win away to Villarreal, moving into seventh place in the Champions League league standings.^[27] At this point, Haaland had scored in 12 consecutive appearances for club and country. This streak, and the club's winning streak, ended soon after with a 1–0 away defeat to Aston Villa, marking the third consecutive season that City had lost this fixture.^[28] By the end of October, City sat fifth in the Premier League table, six points behind leaders Arsenal.^[29]

The Blues started November with a 3–1 win against Bournemouth at home, with Haaland pushing his goal tally to 13 in the Premier League. In the second half, Nico O'Reilly registered his first goal of the season with a composed left foot shot into the bottom right corner. Before the November international break, City defeated Liverpool 3–0 at the Etihad Stadium in what was Pep Guardiola's 1000th game in football management. Although Erling Haaland's early penalty was saved by Georgian backup goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, he later opened the scoring with a header. Nico González and Jérémy Doku added further goals from outside the penalty area. The result left City second in the league standings, four points behind leaders Arsenal.^[30]

After the November international break, Manchester City returned to Premier League action with a 1–2 away defeat to Newcastle United. A long-range strike from Harvey Barnes in the 63rd minute put Newcastle ahead, but Rúben Dias equalised shortly afterwards with a volley. City's hope of a comeback ended when Barnes struck again in the 70th minute, with the goal confirmed only after a VAR review for offside.^[31]

In the Champions League, City lost 0–2 at home to Bayer Leverkusen. Guardiola made ten changes to his starting XI for the match, and the German side took the lead through Álex Grimaldo in the 23rd minute, with Patrik Schick doubling the advantage early in the second half to complete a surprise win.^[32]

The Blues responded with a 3–2 victory over Leeds United. Phil Foden scored after just one minute, and then struck again in stoppage time to prevent a Leeds comeback and secure all three points for City.^[33]

Christmas and New Year period

City began their busy December schedule with a 5–4 away win against Fulham at Craven Cottage on 2 December 2025. Erling Haaland scored his 100th Premier League goal — becoming the fastest player to reach that mark in just 111 appearances — and Phil Foden scored twice as City moved within two points of the league leaders, before holding on following a late Fulham fightback after they had led by four goals.^[34]

On 6 December, City recorded a 3–0 home win over Sunderland in the Premier League, with goals from Rúben Dias, Joško Gvardiol and Phil Foden, narrowing the gap to the top of the table.^[35]

In the Champions League on 10 December, the Blues secured a 2–1 victory at Real Madrid in the league phase, coming from behind with an equaliser from Nico O'Reilly and a Haaland penalty to take the win at the Santiago Bernabéu.^[36]

On 14 December, Manchester City continued their Premier League campaign with a 3–0 away win against Crystal Palace, with Haaland scoring twice and Foden adding a goal to keep pressure on league leaders Arsenal.^[37]

City’s festive run concluded with mixed results at the start of 2026. A 0–0 draw away to Sunderland on New Year’s Day halted their winning momentum after eight consecutive victories in all competitions; before two consecutive 1–1 home draws against Chelsea and Brighton on 4 January and 7 January respectively saw City drop further ground in the title race; conceding a 94th-minute equaliser in the former fixture. Despite scoring first and dominating possession and territory in both games, Guardiola’s side were unable to convert their chances, leaving them second in the Premier League table, six points behind leaders Arsenal after 21 matches. Preparations also continued for the upcoming EFL Cup semi-final against Newcastle United, following December’s 2–0 quarter-final victory over Brentford.

Off the pitch, the club were rumoured to be active in the winter transfer window, reaching agreement to sign in form Ghanaian winger Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth for his short-term £65 million release fee, a deal which was concluded on 9 January;^[38] and were rumoured to also be in discussions to sign England defender Marc Guéhi from Crystal Palace. A deal that had been predicated by long-term injuries to first-choice centre-halves Rúben Dias and Joško Gvardiol in the Chelsea game.^[39] That deal was concluded on 19 January for a reported £20 million fee.^[40]

Semenyo immediately made his City debut on 10 January in a 10–1 FA Cup third‑round victory over Exeter City, scoring and assisting in his first appearance — the first City player to do so since Sergio Agüero against Swansea City in 2011. In all, seven different City players made goal contributions in the match, including a debut senior goal for Ryan McAidoo and a first senior goal for Max Alleyne.^[41][42]

Following their FA Cup victory, City's inconsistent January form continued. On 13 January, Guardiola's side secured a 2–0 away win over Newcastle United in the EFL Cup semi‑finals first leg, taking control of the tie through a disciplined defensive display and clinical finishing.^[43] However, the Blues then suffered back‑to‑back defeats. A 2–0 loss away to Manchester United on 17 January marked their first Premier League defeat of 2026, with the hosts scoring twice in the second half to end Manchester City's recent unbeaten run in the derby. Four days later, City were unexpectedly beaten 3–1 by Bodø/Glimt in the Champions League league phase, as the Norwegian champions capitlized on defensive lapses, and left City needing to win their final league game against Galatasaray to ensure qualification as a top 8 side.

The team responded on 24 January with a much‑needed 2–0 home win over Wolverhampton Wanderers – their first Premier League victory of the year, and Marc Guehi's debut for the club – as Omar Marmoush and Antoine Semenyo both scored, reducing Arsenal's lead at the top to four points. Their month concluded with a 2–0 home win over Galatasaray on 28 January in the Champions League league phase, ensuring that City qualified for the knockout phase last 16 directly as one of the top eight clubs in the standings.^[44]

Spring period

Manchester City resumed their Premier League campaign on 1 February with a 2–2 draw away to Tottenham Hotspur. Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo goals gave the blues a two-goal lead at half time, but a second half brace from Dominic Solanke meant the points were shared. On 8 February, City recorded a significant 2–1 away victory over Liverpool at Anfield. After falling behind in the second half, Guardiola's side turned the match around with a composed display, as Bernardo Silva slid in with an 84th-minute equalizer before Haaland scored his 20th league goal of the season from the penalty spot in injury time. The result was widely described as a statement performance, keeping City within touching distance of leaders Arsenal in what had become a closely fought title battle.

City then hosted Fulham at the City of Manchester Stadium on 11 February, winning 3–0. A dominant display saw the Blues control possession and territory throughout, with goals from Haaland, Semenyo and Nico O'Reilly securing a comfortable victory and further improving their goal difference. On 22 February, City again hosted Newcastle at the Etihad, with O'Reilly scoring a brace to help the team win 2–1 and keep them in title contentions at the end of the matchweek.^[45] In a very important match at Elland Road against Leeds United on 28 February, City gained a 1–0 win, thanks to a goal by Antoine Semenyo and amazing defensive performance.

The month concluded with a 1–0 away victory over Leeds United at Elland Road on 28 February. Semenyo scored the only goal of the match, and City produced a disciplined defensive performance to secure the three points.

Two league draws at the start of March against relegation threatened Nottingham Forest and West Ham United, looked to have ended City's title race as Arsenal built a 9 point lead at the top of the table

Manchester City’s March campaign was dominated by knockout football, beginning with their Champions League round‑of‑16 tie against Real Madrid. On 11 March, City suffered a 3–0 defeat at the Santiago Bernabéu, conceding three in the first half for a Federico Valverde hat-trick which left them with a significant deficit to overturn in the second leg.

The return fixture on 17 March at the City of Manchester Stadium ended in a 2–1 defeat, with City unable to recover from an early Madrid penalty goal and a red-card for captain Bernardo Silva for deliberate hand-ball, despite briefly reducing the deficit through Erling Haaland. The 5–1 aggregate loss brought an end to City’s Champions League campaign at the last‑16 stage.

City responded four days later with a composed performance in the EFL Cup final on 22 March, defeating Arsenal 2–0 at Wembley Stadium. A brace in the second-half from Nico O'Reilly secured the club’s first triumph in the competition for five seasons, and Pep Guardiola became the first manager to win the EFL Cup on five occasions.

Season run-in

Manchester City began April with a dominant 4–0 victory over Liverpool at home in the FA Cup quarter‑final on 4 April. Guardiola’s side controlled the match from the outset, combining sustained pressure with clinical finishing, and Haaland's twelfth hat-trick for the club, to secure a comfortable progression to the semi‑finals. The result extended City’s strong domestic cup form and set up a Wembley meeting with Southampton later in the month.

City returned to Premier League action on 12 April, after almost a month, with an impressive 3–0 away win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. After a balanced first half, City took control early in the second period through goals from Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guéhi and Jérémy Doku. The performance was widely praised for its composure and attacking efficiency, and the victory ensured City remained firmly in contention near the top of the table. At this point they were just 6 points behind the long-time leaders Arsenal with a game in hand, and scheduled due to play them at the Etihad the following weekend.

Manchester City recorded a significant 2–1 win over Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on 19 April, narrowing the gap in the title race. City went ahead when Rayan Cherki scored after a solo run, before Arsenal equalised moments later as Kai Havertz charged down a clearance from Gianluigi Donnarumma. The match remained finely balanced until the 65th minute, when Erling Haaland reacted quickest to a loose ball to restore City’s lead. Arsenal struck the woodwork twice in the closing stages, but City held on to secure the victory and move within three points of the league leaders with a game in hand.^[46]

City next faced Burnley on 22 April. Haaland scored in the fifth minute from a Jérémy Doku assist, and although City registered nine shots on target, this early goal proved decisive in a 1–0 win. The result confirmed Burnley’s relegation to the Championship and briefly took City to the top of the league for the first time since August by the matter of their superior goals scored record. Arsenal would play two more league fixtures before City's next league game.

On 25 April, Manchester City met Southampton—who had eliminated Arsenal in the quarter-finals—at Wembley Stadium for the first FA Cup semi-final of the weekend. Finn Azaz put Southampton ahead in the 79th minute with a well‑taken strike, but Doku equalised three minutes later with a deflected effort into the bottom-right corner. In the 87th minute, Nico González scored the winner from outside the penalty area to secure City’s place in a record fourth consecutive FA Cup final, where they would face Chelsea, who defeated Leeds United in the other semi-final.

End of season

City then resumed league duties on 4 May with a dramatic 3–3 draw away to Everton, twice recovering from deficits through goals from Jérémy Doku and Erling Haaland before Doku equalised deep into stoppage time.^[47] A comfortable 3–0 home win over Brentford followed on 9 May, with second‑half goals from Doku, Haaland and Omar Marmoush maintaining City’s title challenge.^[48] City extended their strong run with another 3–0 victory at home to Crystal Palace on 13 May, as Antoine Semenyo, Omar Marmoush and Sávio secured a dominant performance that kept Guardiola’s side firmly in the race at the top of the table just 2 points behind Arsenal.^[49]

Manchester City secured their eighth FA Cup with a 1–0 victory over Chelsea in the final at Wembley on 16 May, decided by a superb 72nd‑minute flicked finish from Antoine Semenyo after Erling Haaland’s low cross from the right.^[50][51] The win completed a domestic cup double for City, adding to their League Cup triumph earlier in the season, and marked Pep Guardiola’s 20th major trophy with the club.^[52]

City’s Premier League title challenge ended three days later in a 1–1 draw away to Bournemouth on 19 May, a result that confirmed Arsenal as champions with a game to spare. Eli Junior Kroupi put the hosts ahead in the first half before Haaland equalised in stoppage time, but City were unable to find a winner.^[53][54]

On 22 May, after days of press rumours, Manchester City announced that Pep Guardiola would step down as manager at the end of the season, bringing to a close a decade in charge that delivered 20 major trophies and transformed the club’s modern era.^[55][56] The club confirmed he would continue within the City Football Group as a global ambassador;^[57] and that the newly developed and expanded North Stand at the Etihad Stadium would be named in his honour.^[58]

Transfers in

More information Date, Pos. ...

Date	Pos.	No.	Player	From	Fee	Team	Ref.
9 June 2025	LB	21	Rayan Aït-Nouri[a]	Wolverhampton Wanderers	£31,800,000	First team	[60][1]
10 June 2025	GK	13	Marcus Bettinelli[a]	Chelsea	Undisclosed	First team	[4]
10 June 2025	RW	10	Rayan Cherki[a]	Lyon	£34,000,000	First team	[61][3]
11 June 2025	CM	4	Tijjani Reijnders[a]	AC Milan	£46,300,000	First team	[62][2]
17 July 2025	CM	41	Sverre Nypan	Rosenborg	£12,500,000	First team	[63]
23 July 2025	FW	—	Caelan Cadamarteri	Sheffield Wednesday	Undisclosed	Academy	[64]
29 July 2025	GK	1	James Trafford	Burnley	£31,000,000	First team	[5][65]
2 September 2025	GK	25	Gianluigi Donnarumma	Paris Saint-Germain	£26,000,000	First team	[12][66]
9 January 2026	RW	42	Antoine Semenyo	Bournemouth	£64,000,000	First team	[38][67]
19 January 2026	CB	15	Marc Guéhi	Crystal Palace	£20,000,000	First team	[40][68]
Total					£265,600,000

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Loaned in

Transfers out

More information Date, Pos. ...

Date	Pos.	No.	Player	To	Fee	Team	Ref.
1 June 2025[a]	DM	56	Jacob Wright	Norwich City	£2,300,000	Academy	[69][70]
30 June 2025	FW	37	Kayky	Bahia	Undisclosed	Academy	[71]
1 July 2025[b]	RB	39	Yan Couto	Borussia Dortmund	£25,200,000	First team	[72]
5 July 2025	RB	2	Kyle Walker	Burnley	£5,000,000	First team	[73]
10 July 2025	DF	—	Jaden Lienou	Leeds United	Undisclosed	Academy	[74]
18 July 2025	DM	32	Máximo Perrone	Como	£13,000,000	First team	[75]
27 July 2025	FW	85	Farid Alfa-Ruprecht	Bayer Leverkusen	£5,000,000	Academy	[76]
16 August 2025	MF	87	James McAtee	Nottingham Forest	£30,000,000	First team	[77]
21 August 2025	DF	86	Callum Doyle	Wrexham	£7,500,000	Academy	[78]
25 August 2025	GK	88	True Grant	Stoke City	Undisclosed	Academy	[79]
2 September 2025	GK	31	Ederson	Fenerbahçe	£12,000,000	First team	[13]
2 September 2025	MF	19	İlkay Gündoğan	Galatasaray	Free	First team	[14]
4 September 2025	MF	57	Michael Okeke	Puskás Akadémia	Undisclosed	Academy	[80]
16 January 2026	FW	65	Will Dickson	Chesterfield	Undisclosed	Academy	[81]
17 January 2026	DF	70	Jadel Katongo	Kayserispor	Undisclosed	Academy	[82]
29 January 2026	DF	54	Seb Naylor	Bristol City	Undisclosed	Academy	[83]
30 January 2026	FW	52	Oscar Bobb	Fulham	£27,000,000[c]	First team	[84][85]
31 January 2026	CDM	76	Mahamadou Susoho	Kocaelispor	£346,000	Academy	[86][87]
1 February 2026	GK	18	Stefan Ortega	Nottingham Forest	£500,000	First Team	[88][89]
2 February 2026	FW	77	Justin Oboavwoduo	Juventus Next Gen	£2,590,000	Academy	[90]
Total					£130,436,000

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Loaned out

More information Date, Pos. ...

Date	Pos.	No.	Player	Loaned to	On loan until	Team	Ref.
25 June 2025	CB	—	Juma Bah	Nice	30 June 2026	Academy	[91]
5 July 2025	CF	67	Divin Mubama	Stoke City	31 May 2026		[92]
7 July 2025	DF	94	Finley Burns	Reading			[93]
11 July 2025	GK	72	Oliver Whatmuff	Rochdale			[94]
29 July 2025	DF	74	Tomas Galvez	Cambuur	30 June 2026		[95]
29 July 2025	FW	73	Joel Ndala	Hull City	2 February 2026[a]		[96]
5 August 2025	CB	66	Jahmai Simpson-Pusey	Celtic	5 January 2026[b]		[97]
8 August 2025	CB	68	Max Alleyne	Watford			[98]
8 August 2025	CB	22	Vitor Reis	Girona	30 June 2026	First team	[99]
12 August 2025	LW	10	Jack Grealish	Everton	31 May 2026		[6]
19 August 2025	CM	41	Sverre Nypan	Middlesbrough	2 February 2026[c]		[100][101]
21 August 2025	CAM	30	Claudio Echeverri	Bayer Leverkusen	20 December 2025[d]		[102]
1 September 2025	CDM	76	Mahamadou Susoho	Livingston	31 January 2026[e]	Academy	[103][86]
1 September 2025	DF	95	Lakyle Samuel	Bromley	31 May 2026		[104]
1 September 2025	FW	65	Will Dickson	Chesterfield	5 January 2026		[105]
1 September 2025	DF	78	Issa Kaboré	Wrexham	31 May 2026	City Football Group	[106]
2 September 2025	DF	25	Manuel Akanji	Inter Milan	30 June 2026	First team	[15]
3 September 2025	FW	–	Luca Fletcher	Ipswich Town	31 May 2026	Academy	[107]
8 September 2025	DF	97	Josh Wilson-Esbrand	Radomiak Radom	30 June 2026	First team	[108]
6 January 2026	CB	66	Jahmai Simpson-Pusey	1. FC Köln		Academy	[109]
9 January 2026	MF	99	Emilio Lawrence	Luton Town	31 May 2026		[110]
16 January 2026	CM	81	Jaden Heskey	Sheffield Wednesday			[111]
18 January 2026	CAM	30	Claudio Echeverri	Girona	30 June 2026	First team	[112]
30 January 2026	DF	91	Stephen Mfuni	Watford	31 May 2026	Academy	[113]
2 February 2026	MF	44	Kalvin Phillips	Sheffield United		First team	[114]
	FW	73	Joel Ndala	Sheffield Wednesday		Academy	[115]
	MF	63	Divine Mukasa	Leicester City			[116]

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Released

More information Date, Pos. ...

Date	Pos.	No.	Player	Subsequent club	Join date	Team	Ref.
30 June 2025	AM	17	Kevin De Bruyne	Napoli	1 July 2025	First team	[117][118]
30 June 2025	GK	33	Scott Carson	Retired	24 October 2025	First team	[119][120]
30 June 2025	FW	60	Tai Sodje	Buxton	7 August 2025	Academy	[121]

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New contracts

More information Date, Pos. ...

Date	Pos.	No.	Player	Contract until	Team	Ref.
22 August 2025	CB	3	Rúben Dias	30 June 2029	First team	[122]
12 September 2025	RB	82	Rico Lewis	30 June 2030		[123]
26 September 2025	CM	33	Nico O'Reilly			[124]
3 October 2025	AM	26	Savinho	30 June 2031		[125]
10 April 2026	GK	13	Marcus Bettinelli	30 June 2027		[126]

Close

Overall record

Premier League