Manchester City's pre-season preparations may have been delayed but manager Pep Guardiola was keen to put the players through their paces ahead of the Premier League Asia Trophy clash against West Ham United. City had experienced two days of delays, having originally been scheduled to depart Manchester airport for Shanghai on Saturday evening, before <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/uae/etihad-puts-man-city-s-asia-tour-back-on-track-with-last-ditch-save-on-china-flight-1.886695">Etihad Airways stepped in to arrange a flight for the team to fly to China</a> on Monday. A playing squad including the likes of Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane, Bernardo Silva and Rodri, <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/rodri-will-be-the-new-fernandinho-and-perfect-for-manchester-city-1.883030">the club's new record signing</a>, all took part in training ahead of Wednesday's clash against West Ham in Nanjing. The match kicks off at 4.30pm UAE. The winner of the match will face either Wolves or Newcastle United in Saturday's final. City retained their Premier League title last season, pipping Liverpool by one point. Guardiola's team also won the League Cup and FA Cup as well as the Community Shield. City face Liverpool in the Community Shield at Wembley on August 4 before beginning their title defence against West Ham six days later at the London Stadium.
