Erling Haaland was crashing in penalties and rounding goalkeepers, Kevin De Bruyne is still running the show, and the Blues defence are still susceptible to conceding direct goals.
John Stones was even back in midfield. It felt just like the 2023 run-in with most of City's main protagonists in their familiar roles.
City beat Ipswich in four first-half minutes, a ruthless welcome to the Premier League despite falling behind. Even with that early shock, they were never in danger of losing this game. The story was all about Gundogan on Saturday, and that story all started with a call.
Pep Guardiola had cornered Gundogan in the tunnel of the Camping World Stadium in Orlando during a storm delay last month and quizzed him on a lack of contact over the previous year. "You didn't text. You were my neighbour and you didn't text once," the manager joked.
Gundogan looked a little sheepish, but for Guardiola when the message finally came it was well worth the wait. Gundogan is back at the Etihad after a whirlwind week that saw him quickly jettisoned at Barcelona and he knew exactly who to call when thinking of his next move.
The last time Gundogan wore the sky blue of City, he was hoisting the Champions League trophy high into the Istanbul sky. City's botched contract negotiations saw the German leave without a proper goodbye on Saturday he got a hero's welcome back.
Esta historia es de la edición August 25, 2024 de MEN on Sunday.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición August 25, 2024 de MEN on Sunday.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Howhasit come to this for Pep's 500th game?
PEP Guardiola should be in the ultimate honeymoon period.
No surprise McAtee eyes exit in January
CITY and James McAtee both made clear that they wanted to make things work this season. Despite City's title defence crumbling around him, however, McAtee has had a front row seat to the season rather than an active role.
Maguire risks ban in Magpies fixture
UNITED know they will be without several key players when they return to Premier League action to face Newcastle.
'I want to make history at United'
AMAD Diallo 'wants to make history' with United as he aims to help Ruben Amorim turn around the club's fortunes.
Sutton tips 'rubbish' Reds to lose
NEWCASTLE United will make it four wins in a row when they take on United because Ruben Amorim's side are 'rubbish'.
United have to face up to Old Trafford nerves
HOW will the nerves be tomorrow night then? In the wake of Manchester United's pre-Christmas defeat to Bournemouth, Ruben Amorim identified nervousness and anxiety as a problem to be overcome, for his team and the supporters.
Ronaldo 'will be owner of big club'
UNITED legend Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his intention to buy a football club after he retires from professional football.
Council tax needs overdue overhaul
WHILE festive shoppers have been deciding what to buy in the last few weeks, under-pressure local politicians across Northern England are weighing up which public services they can still afford to run.
Claims of a 'fix' with no elections due in 2025
THERE will be no elections held in Greater Manchester in 2025.
Family takes on DIY SOS to build a home for Gary
THE family of a man left disabled after suffering a stroke say they've been left 'blown away' by people's kindness after deciding to build a specially adapted house for him to live in.
