There was a glimpse of the future at Manchester City against Al Ain | OneFootball

Manchester City powered their way to an emphatic 6-nil win over Al Ain at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium earlier this morning (UK time). The win saw Pep Guardiola’s side guarantee themselves a place in the Round of 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup. They will face Juventus on Thursday to decide the winner of Group G. Coming out of Manchester City’s impressive win there were a host of impressive performances on display in Atlanta. The game also provided a glimpse into Manchester City’s future based on the impressive performances from Claudio Echeverri, Abdukodir Khusanov, Oscar Bobb and Rayan Cherki.

Several Manchester City youngsters seized their opportunity to impress.

Pep Guardiola selected a different starting eleven for last night’s match with Al Ain than the lineup he chose for Manchester City’s win over Wydad AC.  There was a debut for new signing Rayan Ait-Nouri at left-back. Abdukodir Khusanov started at right-back and Claudio Echeverri made his first start for Manchester City last night. In the case of Khusanov and Claudio Echeverri, both players showed what they are made of when they were on the pitch.

For Abdukodir Khusanov he lined up at right-back at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. He quietly got about his work, and he took to an unfamiliar role well. Khusanov was strong in a challenge, and he was neat and tidy when in possession. With his pace and power, he may get an opportunity to play at right-back next season. It is a position of need in Pep Guardiola’s squad. Perhaps that will be where Khusanov can make an impact during the 25/26 season. It must be said that there will be sterner tests than Al Ain that await Khusanov in whatever position he next plays for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Claudio Echeverri scored his first goal for Manchester City last night with a sublime free kick. Last night’s match was the ideal setting for Echeverri to make his first start for the club. He seized that opportunity with a sublime goal. But outside of his goal, Echeverri put himself about on the pitch and he was a nuisance to Al Ain before he was substituted at halftime. Echeverri picked up an ankle injury and had to be substituted at halftime. The hope is that the injury he sustained isn’t too serious.

Oscar Bobb and Rayan Cherki made an impact off the bench.

Oscar Bobb and Rayan Cherki came on as second-half substitutes. Both players impressed and got themselves on the scoresheet. But they both looked sharp and appear set to be important players for Manchester City for the remainder of the FIFA Club World Cup and beyond. It must be said that by the time Bobb and Cherki came on, the Al Ain defence was tired after chasing the ball for the majority of the match. But Bobb and Cherki showed the quality they had to exploit the space that they were afforded.

The performances of Abdukodir Khusanov, Claudio Echeverri, Oscar Bobb and Rayan Cherki against Al Ain did provide a glimpse of the future at Manchester City. Each player has their best football ahead of them. They will all be key players in Manchester City’s future. Especially when you consider none of the four players listed are older than 21 years of age. But each player is ready to contribute now for Pep Guardiola’s side. That did stand out during last night’s match in Atlanta.