Pep Guardiola has named Erling Haaland as captain for Manchester City’s pre-season opener against Celtic, with two young players making their senior debuts. The match is set to take place at the Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Haaland will lead the team for the first time, a significant moment for the Norwegian striker. Joining him in the starting lineup are Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Nico O’Reilly, who have progressed through City’s youth system.
Other young talents from the Elite Development Squad might also get a chance to play from the bench during this match, the first of four friendlies on City’s US tour.
Familiar faces like Stefan Ortega Moreno, Rico Lewis, Kalvin Phillips, Oscar Bobb, and Jack Grealish are included in the starting XI.
The lineup for City consists of Ortega Moreno in goal, with a defense featuring Lewis, Simpson-Pusey, Luke Mbete, and Josh Wilson-Esbrand. Phillips will anchor the midfield, allowing McAtee and O’Reilly to push forward. Bobb and Grealish are expected to operate on the wings, supporting Haaland up front.
The opposition, Celtic, will field a team including Schmeichel, Ralston, Welsh, Scales, Taylor, McGregor as captain, O’Riley, Hatate, Kuhn, Maeda, and Kyogo. Their substitutes bench includes a mix of experienced and emerging players.
City’s tactical setup sees Ortega Moreno protected by a back four, with Phillips playing a deep midfield role, enabling McAtee and O’Reilly to advance. Bobb and Grealish will provide width, while Haaland leads the attack.
Haaland’s rise at Manchester City has been remarkable since his debut in the United States two years ago, where he scored the only goal in a win against Bayern Munich.
Now, as he celebrates his 24th birthday, he achieves another milestone by captaining the team. Haaland’s prolific goal-scoring record has established him as one of football’s most formidable strikers, and he will be looking to continue his impressive form in the upcoming match against Celtic.
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