The Manchester City midfield is yet to click as a unit | OneFootball

It isn’t a stretch to say that Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders didn’t perform at their best in their team’s 3-nil win over Manchester United on Sunday. Both players were guilty of giving away possession on multiple occasions throughout the Manchester derby. But it mattered little as Manchester City comfortably picked up three points at the Etihad Stadium. Looking at the performance of City’s midfield against United, it stood out that City’s midfield is yet to click into gear. That will come in time. So it isn’t a major cause for concern at this stage.

Tijjani Reijnders and Rodri aren’t at their best and need time to get there.

As Manchester City continue their rebuild, it is clear to see that City’s midfield is a work in progress. Phil Foden, Rodri, and Tijjani Reijnders started in midfield for City against United. Phil Foden was arguably Manchester City’s man-of-the-match in their win over United. But in the case of Reijnders and Rodri, the pair weren’t at their best at the Etihad. There are obvious reasons for that.

Rodri gave away possession with sloppy passes on multiple occasions on Sunday. He was also caught on the ball by the Manchester United players on other occasions. It did stand out watching the match that Rodri needs time to work his way into this season. That isn’t a surprise, given he is working his way back from a serious injury. Rodri’s bid to return to full fitness will take time, and his teammates are adjusting to having him back on the pitch.

Tijjani Reijnders hasn’t yet adjusted to life in the Premier League. Outside of his stunning Premier League debut against Wolves, Reijnders looks like a player who isn’t accustomed to the pace of the Premier League. But it’s not a major issue. That will come in time for Reijnders. The Dutch international has also been guilty of dwelling on the ball across Manchester City’s past three matches. At other times, he seems rushed in possession. Both of those aspects of his play were on display against Manchester United. Reijnders also isn’t winning enough of his duels in midfield. That should all come together for Reijnders once he adjusts to life in the Premier League.

Rodri, not yet being back at his best, and Tijjani Reijnders, still growing accustomed to life in the Premier League, haven’t helped Manchester City’s midfield click into gear just yet. But it isn’t a huge issue. It’s just two minor factors that have contributed to Manchester City’s midfield having not yet clicked into gear.

Once the Manchester City midfield clicks, Pep Guardiola’s side will be a formidable proposition.

When Rodri regains his touch, and Tijjani Reijnders adapts to the Premier League the Manchester City midfield will be a formidable proposition. There is also the return of Rayan Cherki to full fitness to factor into the equation. The French international figures to be a prominent player for Pep Guardiola’s side. You add a fully fit Cherki to Rodri, Reijnders, Foden, Bernardo Silva, Nico, Nico and Nico O’Reilly and the pieces are there for City to have a strong midfield. It will just need time to click into gear which has stood out so far this season.