TryGOLD- Free

Team rallies around a Khus during difficult debut
MEN on Sunday|January 26, 2025
IT was a slightly sheepish Abdukodir Khusanov that waved to the Etihad at full-time, but he left a difficult debut behind with three points and hearty hugs from his teammates.
- SIMON BAJKOWSKI
Team rallies around a Khus during difficult debut

The first player from Uzbekistan to play in the Premier League had a night-mare start and was substituted after 55 minutes, yet the records will say his first game was a win.

As the new recruit struggled, the rest of the team rallied round him and then did what they needed to beat Chelsea and end another tough week with an important result.

Khusanov and Vitor Reis, on the bench, will bring the average age of an old team down but City's goalscorers were 23, 24 and 24 as they beat Chelsea 3-1. More importantly, they are all fully fluent in the language Pep Guardiola demands with Phil Foden edu-cated in it since before the manager even arrived at the club.

As City built their pressure to try and recover from going behind, Robert Sanchez spilled Ilkay Gundogan's shot from the edge of the box and there was Omar Marmoush to tap it home. Except he was offside, for the third time in the game, and to make matters worse he only just beat Bernardo Silva - who wasn't offside - to the tap-in.

For all the flak Silva has had this sea-son, and for all the excitement of a new signing, it was a reminder that it is going to take time even for the experienced ones to get used to the rhythm of this team. The January recruits were never going to be an instant antidote to months of problems and they shouldn't take the burden.

This story is from the January 26, 2025 edition of MEN on Sunday.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 26, 2025 edition of MEN on Sunday.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM MEN ON SUNDAYView All
MEN on Sunday

Kids left out of U18s clash in hint over first-team call

UNITED youngsters Chido Obi and James Scanlon were left out of the U18s fixture against Newcastle yesterday suggesting they could be set for a more senior role today.

time-read
1 min  |
February 16, 2025
MEN on Sunday

Cityvictory off field will be music to Toon's ears

CITY and Newcastle United are perhaps as close as two teams in the same league could be.

time-read
1 min  |
February 16, 2025
'Underperforming United side are responsible for club redundancies'
MEN on Sunday

'Underperforming United side are responsible for club redundancies'

Manager blames terrible season for cuts at Old Trafford

time-read
2 mins  |
February 16, 2025
It's the best thing that's happened - it's offered me way out'
MEN on Sunday

It's the best thing that's happened - it's offered me way out'

GMP say new powers to protect domestic abuse victims are having a real impact

time-read
4 mins  |
February 16, 2025
MEN on Sunday

Green light given for 76 new homes in town

PLANS to build new homes in a borough's green belt have been given the thumbs up.

time-read
1 min  |
February 16, 2025
MEN on Sunday

Blistering hat-trick hero ready to ease burden on Haaland

IT has been a difficult start to life at City for Omar Marmoush.

time-read
3 mins  |
February 16, 2025
MEN on Sunday

Advice for young people experiencing thoughts of suicide

TALK, share your feelings, don't shy away from difficult conversations - these are ways suicide can be prevented among young people.

time-read
1 min  |
February 16, 2025
Working at Asda? We all LOVE it!
MEN on Sunday

Working at Asda? We all LOVE it!

IT APPEARS love is in the air at Asda stores across Greater Manchester - with many couples finding romance at the supermarket chain.

time-read
1 min  |
February 16, 2025
Building with colourful past has a bleak future
MEN on Sunday

Building with colourful past has a bleak future

THE future now looks bleak for a boarded-up building in Manchester city centre with a colourful past dating back over 100 years.

time-read
4 mins  |
February 16, 2025
MEN on Sunday

Labour Party has thrown me under the bus

Councillor's fury over his suspension amid WhatsApp storm L

time-read
1 min  |
February 16, 2025

We use cookies to provide and improve our services. By using our site, you consent to cookies. Learn more