5 ways in which Guardiola has improved Manchester City

#1 He has gotten transfers right

Buys like Mendy have taken City to a different level

The best thing that he has done since he has been at City, the transfer work under his watch has been largely flawless.

Unlike the mess at Old Trafford, players have been bought with a specific plan in mind. In his first season, John Stones, Nolito, Bravo, Ilkay Gundogan, Leroy Sane, and Gabriel Jesus (in January) were brought for £192m in to fix specific needs; Bravo was brought in to be a sweeper-keeper, Gundogan a creative presence, Jesus was supposed to complement Aguero and so on.

Ultimately, Nolito and Bravo proved to be disappointments as the title challenge faltered very early in Guardiola's first season. In his second season, Ederson, Kyle Walker, Mendy, Danilo, Bernardo Silva and Aymeric Laporte (January) were added for £285m and these players have helped in taking the team to its present level.

This season, only Riyad Mahrez was added for £60m as the sterling work over the last two seasons continued. Given the team's potent mix of youthful vigour and experience, Manchester City are well placed to continue taking care of business for the foreseeable future.