Manchester City fans have reacted strongly after Enzo Maresca admitted that he is still trying to discover his best starting XI.
The new Manchester City head coach has insisted that his team remains a work in progress. However, his comments have created a mixed response among supporters, with several fans questioning his tactical decisions and team selections.
Maresca confirmed that he has not yet settled on an ideal Manchester City starting XI. According to the manager, he is gradually getting a clearer picture of his players and their best roles, but he still needs more time before deciding on his preferred team.
Enzo Maresca confirms he is yet to make a decision on his best #ManCity starting line-up.
Maresca: “Day by day, I can see it more clear. But at the moment, I don’t have yet an ideal 11 players…”
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) August 23, 2026
That admission immediately sparked debate among City supporters.
While some fans appear willing to give Maresca time to rebuild the squad in his own image, others believe the Italian should already have a clearer idea of his strongest players and their positions.
Man City fans question Maresca’s tactical decisions
The strongest criticism focused on the starting line-up and the apparent lack of clarity surrounding player positions.
One supporter, ish, questioned the entire selection, writing: “Okay but wtf was that line up tho, looked like he has no idea which players best position is.”
That comment captured one of the biggest concerns among the supporters reacting to the discussion.
Maresca’s statement that he is still searching for his ideal XI may be understandable given that he only took charge in June. Yet some supporters are already looking for signs of a settled tactical identity.
For a club accustomed to competing for major trophies every season, patience can be difficult.
Maresca is replacing Pep Guardiola, whose long spell at the club established an extremely high standard. The new manager therefore faces enormous pressure to deliver results while simultaneously changing the team’s tactical approach.
Some fans believe that process should involve experimentation. Others fear that too much experimentation could cost City valuable points.
Cherki emerges as a major fan favourite
One of the clearest themes from the reactions was the demand for Rayan Cherki to start more regularly.
Several supporters were particularly emphatic about the French attacking midfielder.
Fodejv simply wrote: “JUST START CHERKI FFS.”
Another supporter, the avatarrr, went further, insisting: “Cherki has to be the starting 10. You should know this by now.”
The response received significant engagement, highlighting how strongly some supporters feel about Cherki’s role.
Cherki is viewed by these fans as a player who can provide creativity and unpredictability in the attacking third. His technical ability and willingness to take responsibility in possession make him an obvious candidate for the central attacking role.
That has led some supporters to question why Maresca appears to still be experimenting with his attacking setup.
For those fans, the solution is simple: put Cherki in the No. 10 position and build the attacking structure around him.
Of course, a manager sees players every day in training, meaning supporters do not have access to the same information. Maresca will also have tactical reasons for making different selections.
Nevertheless, the online reaction shows that Cherki has already developed a strong following among sections of the City fanbase.
Nunes also gets support from supporters
Cherki was not the only player supporters wanted to see in the starting XI.
One fan, Gideon, argued that “Nunes and Cherki should be a STARTER!”
The comment reflects another section of the debate surrounding Maresca’s midfield selections.
Matheus Nunes has had to compete for regular football at Manchester City, but some supporters clearly believe that he deserves a more prominent role under the new manager.
The challenge for Maresca is finding a midfield combination that provides control, creativity and defensive security.
City have several players capable of operating in different midfield positions. That versatility can be an advantage, but it can also make selection decisions more complicated.
Maresca’s comments suggest that he is still assessing those options.
Rico Lewis becomes another source of disagreement
Rico Lewis was another name to feature prominently in the reactions.
One supporter delivered a particularly strong verdict: “Rico Lewis must never touch that first 11! Ever!”
Another fan responded sarcastically to Maresca’s comments by writing: “Yeah yeah Rico is first choice 😂”
The reactions demonstrate that there is no consensus among supporters about Lewis’ place in the team.
That is important because Lewis has been one of City’s most versatile young players. His ability to operate in different positions has made him useful to previous managers, but versatility can also lead to questions about where he should play.
For Maresca, finding Lewis’ best position could become an important part of establishing his preferred system.
The manager’s admission that he has not yet found his ideal XI suggests that this process is still ongoing.
Nico Gonzalez receives a vote of confidence
Nico Gonzalez was another player mentioned positively by supporters.
One fan, León Eduardo, simply declared: “Nico González is the answer.”
The comment attracted considerable engagement and shows that some supporters believe the solution to City’s midfield questions could already be within the squad.
Nico’s physical presence and ability to contribute defensively could give Maresca another option as he searches for the right balance.
However, the contrasting reactions show that City fans have different ideas about what the strongest midfield should look like.
Some want Nunes. Others want Nico. Others are demanding Cherki in a more advanced role.
That leaves Maresca with plenty of opinions to consider, even if the final decision ultimately belongs to the manager.
Not every Man City fan is worried
Despite the criticism, the reaction was not universally negative.
One supporter responded positively to Maresca’s comments with a simple “Good.”
Another fan, Ace, offered a more optimistic assessment: “You will soon find it, I know.”
There was also a suggestion from Nnamdi that Maresca’s ideal team could become clearer within the next few matches.
He wrote: “That will be realized in the next 3-5 games.”
That view may ultimately prove to be the most patient interpretation of Maresca’s comments.
The Italian manager is still at the beginning of his Manchester City tenure. Expecting him to immediately know the perfect XI may be unrealistic, particularly after inheriting a squad containing several players capable of performing multiple roles.
Maresca’s Chelsea history raises questions
However, one reaction showed that some supporters are already comparing Maresca’s Manchester City situation with his previous experience at Chelsea.
Elton Mwangi reminded him: “You said this at Chelsea until you resigned.”
That comment highlights why patience will not come easily for everyone.
Maresca’s reputation means supporters will naturally examine his decisions closely. If results remain positive, experimentation will probably be viewed as part of the rebuilding process.
If results begin to deteriorate, however, the same experimentation could quickly become a major criticism.
The difference may ultimately come down to performances.
City supporters want answers soon
The overall reaction to Maresca’s comments suggests that Manchester City supporters are prepared to give their new manager some time, but they also want to see signs of progress.
The biggest demands are already clear.
Fans want to know who should start in midfield. They want Cherki given a prominent role. Some want Nunes in the XI, while others believe Nico Gonzalez should be central to the manager’s plans.
There is also disagreement over Rico Lewis.
In other words, City supporters have already created their own versions of Maresca’s ideal XI.
The manager, meanwhile, says he is still searching.
That tension could become one of the most interesting storylines of the early Maresca era.
For now, the Italian can point to the fact that Manchester City are still adapting to a new managerial philosophy. But the pressure at the Etihad is enormous.
Maresca does not necessarily need to discover his perfect XI immediately.
He does, however, need to show that the search is leading somewhere.
And if the reactions from City supporters are anything to go by, many fans already believe they have found some of the answers themselves.
