Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs and Phil Neville have demanded that changes be made at youth level for the benefit of both clubs and the national side.

City are off to a flyer in their title defence having won their first two games of the season – including a comprehensive 3-1 defeat of title rivals Liverpool.

City face two of the same group opponents in Bayern and CSKA, plus AS Roma, as they seek to add a European title to their growing trophy cabinet.

Argentine international Angel Di Maria has wasted little time in stating his objectives after signing a five-year, £59.7million deal with United.

The Bosnian captain penned a four-year deal at the Premier League champions on Wednesday as he looks to improve on his goal haul of 26 last term.

United announced their squad numbers for 2014/15 by handing the 19-year-old the old shirt of Giggs, the three-times European champions’ record appearance holder with 963, while new signings Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera were given nos. 3 and 21 respectively.

Mangala is City’s sixth buy of the off season as they seek to bolster their squad ahead of their second Premier League title defence in three seasons.

After two league titles in three seasons it is time for the Premier League champions to focus on making a name for themselves in Europe.

Over the weekend the back pages were filled with the revelation that ex-Chelsea star Frank Lampard will be signing on loan until January before heading back to New York City FC to prepare for the start of the MLS season in March.

They used to chant his name in football stadiums across the UK and Europe, but now City fans will have to decide whether to open their arms to the player or shun him from their history.

Ivorian Toure, linked with moves away this summer as the 3x-year-old has experienced a rough time due to his ill brother Ibrahim sadly passing away in xx, said the ordeal had unsurprisingly affected his thinking.