As the Manchester City legend returns to face his former team, we look back at moments that will never be forgotten

On 22 May 2022, in a dictionary definition of carpe diem, De Bruyne shows his greatness with the assist that harvests another title for City, just as Pep Guardiola’s men veer near to losing the plot. After 69 minutes Aston Villa are cruising at 2-0 up and the title is heading to Anfield where Liverpool, drawing with Wolves 1-1, need a goal to seal a famous last-day triumph. But, after City goals on 76 and 78 minutes, De Bruyne takes charge. A piercing burst along the right prompts a pinpoint cross to Ilkay Gündogan, whose threaded finish on 81 minutes sends the Etihad Stadium ballistic.

• Italian preparing to face Napoli, whom his mother supports

• De Bruyne, McTominay and Højlund could face City

Gianluigi Donnarumma has said he believes Pep Guardiola will help improve his ball-playing skills and that Manchester City were interested in signing him before the summer.

Donnarumma joined from Paris Saint-Germain for about £30m (€35m) on transfer deadline day. The move caused surprise because of the view that the 26-year-old is not as accomplished with his feet as Ederson, who left for Fenerbahce, or James Trafford, the £27m signing from Burnley in July.

• Chief executive praises performance in ‘challenging year’

• £36.6m exceptional items include paying off Erik ten Hag

Manchester United recorded record revenues of £666.5m in the financial year to June 2025, but the club still reported a loss of £33m. The revenues rose 0.7%, up £4.7m from £661.8m in 2024, despite the side not competing in the Champions League.

The £33m loss comes after £36.6m was paid out in exceptional items as part of their “transformation plan”. This included the sacking of Erik ten Hag and the manager’s staff plus payments due to any of the 150-200 employees who lost their job in the latest round of redundancies. Losses were down from the previous year’s £113.2m.