Pep Guardiola has plenty to think about over the summer after a last-16 defeat to Al-Hilal in the United States

A manager rejuvenated is no overblown assessment of Pep Guardiola, whose friendly wave to this correspondent during a morning training session at Manchester City’s Boca Raton camp was emblematic of a man who oozed energy and commitment for the challenge of elevating his side again throughout the Club. World Cup. Immediately after the winding blow of Monday’s 4-3 defeat by Al-Hilal in Orlando, the 54-year-old blended disappointment with a measured optimism, fairly pointing to how if chances had been taken then City would be facing off against Fluminense in Friday’s quarter-final, back at the Camping World Stadium.

• Spaniard substituted in fifth game since returning

• Guardiola blames profligacy for shock loss to Al-Hilal

After Manchester City crashed out of the Club World Cup 4-3 to Al-Hilal in Orlando, Pep Guardiola blamed a lack of ruthlessness, and said Rodri had sustained an injury setback.

City were eliminated by Marcus Leonardo’s 112th-minute winner on Monday night at the Camping World Stadium in the shock result of the inaugural 32-team Club World Cup. Guardiola’s team wasted a number of chances, with Jérémy Doku, Erling Haaland, Josko Gvardiol, Rúben Dias and Savinho among those who failed to put City out of sight in the opening half.

• Last 16: Manchester City 3-4 Al-Hilal (aet)

• Silva 9, Haaland 55, Foden 104; Leonardo 46 112, Malcom 52, Koulibaly 94

What a last-16 tie, what a triumph for Al-Hilal, what crushing disappointment for Manchester City who, as the contest aged, gradually lost shape and tempo and crumpled in this shock of the Club World Cup.

The killer blow of a breathless extra time featuring three goals was administered by Marcos Leonardo in the 112th minute. Renan Lodi curved a cross in from the left, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic rose and headed, Ederson palmed the ball out and the Brazilian struck his second goal of the contest. Leonardo headed for a corner flag to begin the Al-Hilal party and the camera panned to Phil Foden, who eight minutes before seemed to have saved City.

• Manager backs Klopp and Tuchel’s concerns over event

• City face Al-Hilal in last-16 game in Orlando on Monday

Pep Guardiola has admitted the Club World Cup could “destroy” Manchester City’s 2025-26 campaign, with the manager ignoring its potential impact to avoid feeling anxious.

On Monday, City face Al-Hilal in the last 16 at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium. While some of Guardiola’s players had only five days off before the start of the tournament, others enjoyed a three-week break. All the squad can expect at least three weeks off following the Club World Cup.