Pep Guardiola has named Ilkay Gundogan and Phil Foden in his first Manchester City line-up of the campaign with Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez settling for a place on the bench.
Having formed a duopoly with Liverpool at the Premier League summit in recent seasons, City opted to freshen up their star-studded squad despite winning a fourth title in five years. Erling Haaland and Kalvin Phillips were recruited during the window alongside back-up goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.
Oleksandr Zinchenko, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus all moved in the other direction this summer and debuted for their new clubs over the last 48 hours. However, in their opener, City have decided to pick one signing - Haaland - in their starting XI against West Ham at the London Stadium (4.30pm).
READ MORE: Shearer makes Haaland prediction
Otherwise, there is a rather familiar look about the starting XI chosen by Guardiola as Nathan Ake partners Portugal defender Ruben Dias at centre-back. Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo flank those two players with John Stones on the bench and Aymeric Laporte (knee) ruled out with injury until September.
Rodri edges out Phillips as the defensive shield for Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne as England stars Phil Foden and Jack Grealish get the nod to supply Norway striker Haaland in attacking quarters. It means Bernardo and Mahrez are among those waiting for a chance on the bench.
Here are a selection of comments about the line-up as taken from social media platform Twitter;
Starting XI: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake, Cancelo; Gundogan (capt), Rodri, De Bruyne; Foden, Haaland, Grealish.
On the bench: Ortega, Phillips, Stones, Alvarez, Bernardo, Mahrez, Palmer, Lewis, Wilson-Esbrand.
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