Pre-season is done and dusted and for Man City fans in the Football Transfer Tavern, they can now look forward to what will hopefully be an extremely exciting season under new manager Pep Guardiola, and of course, trumping new United boss Jose Mourinho will be at the top of the to-do list.

The Sky Blues have conducted their transfer business quickly and tidily and brought in some solid players with the season under one week away.

City’s first opponents of the season are Sunderland who our Landlord is tipping to struggle again this season. However, in David Moyes they have an assured manager who had a strong spell at Everton before some rocky spells at Old Trafford and Real Sociedad.

But many people are predicting that City will have too much for their Northern rivals come match day one.

So with that in mind, here’s the Man City XI that will destroy Sunderland on the opening weekend of the Premier League…

GK: Joe Hart

Pretty easy choice this- City’s best goalkeeper and offers a more solid option than the shaky Willy Caballero. Expect Hart to be number one again this season.

RB: Bacary Sagna

Had a big role to play in pre-season and it looks like the Frenchman will be the number one full-back over Pablo Zabaleta, whose City days look numbered.

He’s been around the block a little bit and knows the league will after spells with both City and Arsenal. A sure-fire choice for Guardiola.

CB: Vincent Kompany

Potentially City’s biggest player, the whole squad seems to revolve around their captain Vincent Kompany. Say what you like, when he is on the pitch, City are a better, more accomplished side.

Will be a definite starter all season if he can stay fit.

CB: Nicolás Otamendi

It seems too soon for new signing, John Stones to make is debut so will more than likely sit this one out.

While Nicolas Otamendi hasn’t been fantastic for City just yet, expect him to improve as he settles in England. Pep is a little short of centre-backs at the moment and the Argentinian really needs to step up to the plate this season.

LB: Gael Clichy

Another pretty obvious choice, Gael Clichy is City’s go-to man when it comes to the left-back berth.

He offers pace, a good ability to defend and general soundness in a position City don’t often worry about compared to other areas on the pitch.

CM: Fernandinho

One of City’s most frequent and consistent performers, Fernandinho will be another man who will make the City squad week-in, week-out next season barring injury.

He offers massive defensive stability to a squad that loves to get forward.

CM: Yaya Toure

Much has been made of Yaya Toure’s future this summer but it’s clear he’s still one of Man City’s biggest players. Literally.

The Ivorian brings so much power to the heart of the side and whether he’s on his way or not, he should start this weekend.

CM: Kevin De Bruyne

De Bruyne will be looking to kick-start the season after a thoroughly disappointing month in France with his Belgium side, who crashed out to Wales in the quarter-finals.

He’s a big player for City but some feel we still haven’t seen the best from the former Chelsea man.

LW: Nolito

A Guardiola signing, you’d expect the Spaniard to start the game against Sunderland this weekend. He shone for Celta Vigo last year, grabbing 12 goals and a handful of assists as they finished sixth in La Liga.

Not renowned for his pace, he will offer a good striking option going forward for City this season.

ST: Sergio Aguero

Apart from Vincent Kompany, probably the easiest pick in this team. Sergio Aguero has shown time and time again that he is the man at the Etihad, sometimes carrying the whole team on his back when the going gets tough.

His goal scoring record speaks for itself and he’s a real quality player to have in your side when you have a title to win back.

RW: Raheem Sterling

Despite Leroy Sane’s addition to the City squad, expect Raheem Sterling to start the game against Sunderland this weekend.

He’s a more familiar option for Citizens in their season opener and you get the feeling you know what your going to get from the former Liverpool man. Directness, pace and good finishing ability- Sterling has a point to prove after a dreadful Euro 2016 campaign.

City fans, we want to hear from you! What do you make of this XI? What would you change about it? Let us know below…