There was audible frustration from the stands when Jack Grealish did his usual pause, jink inside and pass back routine for a third time in the first half against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday evening.
The England international struggled against the wit of Dortmund’s backline, their defenders not falling for his free-kick-winning ploys. His night ended on 58 minutes when Pep Guardiola replaced him with Phil Foden in one of three changes following Jude Bellingham’s opener for Dortmund.
Like Grealish, Foden did not come through the ranks as a wide player. He guided England to Under-17 World Cup success from the centre of the park and made his Manchester City senior debut in midfield.
