When City return to action this weekend, they face 11 fixtures in 36 days, in three competitions, across three countries, and two continents.
They face Liverpool, Tottenham and Aston Villa in their next three Premier League fixtures, and have two final Champions League group games to contest. Then, there is the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia.
City have made their ambitions clear over winning the Club World Cup - a competition they have never played in to crown themselves World Champions. But as it stands, they do not have a fit, world-class starting XI available.
Injuries and withdrawals over the international break put the current number of available players to Pep Guardiola at 14, including youngster Oscar Bobb, out-of-favour Kalvin Phillips, and third-choice goalkeeper Scott Carson.
If City were heading to Saudi Arabia this week - even though they are the clear favourites - they would find the tournament difficult.
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