Our first Fan Q&A of the season saw us chat to Luke Stanley, founder of the mcfc lads multimedia fan channel, to get a better idea of where Manchester City stand after an underwhelming campaign in the 2024/25 season, and to hear his thoughts and predictions ahead of Saturday’s clash.
Wolves kick off at Molineux at 17:30 and will be hoping to make a bright start after a flat quartet of preseason games under Vítor Pereira. Despite a poor recent record against the Citizens, Wolves have managed to take points from City since their return to the Premier League. Find out what Luke had to say below, about Wolves, Manchester City and the game ahead.
Question: Most Wolves fans would be delighted to finish 3rd in the Premier League, but given Pep’s incredibly successful tenure with Manchester City, 3rd does feel like an underachievement compared to previous seasons. What do you think will change within City, and what are you expecting to see on the opening day against Wolves?
Luke: Last season was a huge underachievement for several reasons. The squad was ageing, Rodri’s injury, a busy schedule causing player burnout; but also, a lack of new ideas from the coaching staff. A lot has changed over the summer, so I’m hoping these will make a positive difference and help us become more successful, starting Saturday.
Question: Of the three big signings Manchester City have made in Reijnders, Aït-Nouri and Cherki, which of those players do you expect to have the most immediate impact, and will we see that on Saturday?
Luke: I think Reijnders will have the most immediate impact on the team, but all three will do very well. Reijnders is just pure legs in midfield, and that’s one of the core issues solved from last season, as we really missed that profile.
Question: A lot of the goals that Wolves scored last season have unfortunately been moved on in the transfer market. Which player in the current Wolves squad do you see as the biggest threat to City’s winning hopes?
Luke: I remember Jorgen Strand Larsen scored against us last season, giving Wolves an early lead. He produced a respectable return in the Premier League, so I feel he could be a handful.
Question: Rayan Aït-Nouri played a huge part in Wolves’ 2024/25 season, grabbing four goals and seven assists from left wing-back. In Manchester City’s possession-based system, what are you hoping he brings to the team?
Luke: I hope Aït-Nouri overlaps a lot down the left-hand side, adding a lot of unpredictability to the wide areas, and creating more options and threat for our other players too, like Doku. I expect him to contribute similarly to how he did at Wolves.
Question: What is your predicted Manchester City lineup for the trip to Molineux?
Luke:
Trafford
Nunes – Dias – Gvardiol – Aït-Nouri
Reijnders – Nico
Cherki – Marmoush – Bobb
Haaland
Question: Considering Manchester City’s incomings and outgoings in the summer window, what would you feel are currently your biggest weaknesses heading into MD1?
Luke: I feel our biggest weakness is a lack of cohesion and general readiness for a Premier League season. Because of the Club World Cup, we’ve only managed a single preseason fixture that will contribute to the team’s sharpness.
Question: What is your score prediction for the game?
Luke: Wolves 0 – 3 Manchester City
It’s clear that both clubs have a point to prove and an opportunity to set their respective seasons on the right path. With Manchester City being clear favourites, hopefully Vítor’s men have enough up their sleeves to eke out a result.
Big thank you to Luke from mcfc lads for taking the time to chat to us, and we wish him and City luck for the season ahead. Except for this weekend of course.
Jack Johnson
Talking Wolves
