Confirmed Line-Ups: Manchester City Vs Club América (Pre-Season Friendly)

Manchester City are finally back in action, with Houston, Texas the first stop in the Blues short pre-season tour of the United States.

Liga MX side Club América are the first opposition in Pep Guardiola's way, as the Catalan has the first chance to assess his new-look City squad.

Changes have been aplenty this summer and some certain fan favourites have moved on to pastures new.

Fernandinho left upon the expiry of his contract, but Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus have also left to join Chelsea and Arsenal respectively.

Ukrainian full-back, Oleksandr Zinchenko is also expected to join the Gunners in the next few days after putting the final stages on a reported £30 million transfer.

Arsenal are set to sign Zinchenko this summer (Action Plus Sports Images / Alamy)

There have certainly been some notable incomings too.

Most of all, of course, is the £51 million signing of Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund - who is widely recognised as one of the world's best players.

Julian Alvarez has arrived from South America with plenty of hype, while Kalvin Phillips is expected to fill the void left by Fernandinho in midfield.

With Zack Steffen joining Middlesbrough in search of regular first-team football ahead of the World Cup, City have also brought in Stefan Ortega on a free transfer.

Guardiola has always maintained refreshing the squad maintains the same level on hunger to win trophies.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has named his first starting XI of pre-season (Image: PA)

Under the Catalan, the Blues have won four of the last five Premier League titles, but are still yet to get their hands on the illusive Champions League trophy.

Pre-season friendlies will give him the chance to try new things and make sure his squad are at optimum fitness ahead of a packed campaign.

Ahead of kick-off at the NRG Stadium, Pep Guardiola has selected his starting XI to kick-off a fresh and exciting campaign:

GK: Ortega

DF: Walker, Aké, Mbete, Cancelo

MD: Rodri, Bernardo, De Bruyne

FW: Mahrez, Grealish, Alvarez

Substitutions: Ederson, Carson, Phillips, Haaland, Kayky, Delap, Bobb, Palmer, Lewis, McAtee, Burns, Knight, Wilson-Esbrand.

Topics: Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, Premier League

Harry Siddall

Freelance sports journalist

@harryasiddall