Defensive problems
The back four looked all over the place at times and were fortunate that Arsenal spurned all the opportunities they were offered in the first half.
Eliaquim Mangala has been left at home, John Stones is twiddling his thumbs at Everton, Aymeric Laporte is happy at Athletic, Vincent Kompany remains injured and Nicolas Otamendi has picked up an unspecified knock.
It is about as far from ideal a situation as Pep Guardiola could have wanted less than one week away from the Premier League season and it remains anyone's guess as to who will line up at the back against Sunderland.
John Stones is beaten by United's Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Players for many positions
From the way Guardiola lined up against Arsenal, it looks as though his more experienced players are going to be trusted for the time being.
Having talked up Tosin Adarabioyo and taken Jason Denayer to Sweden, the coach opted for neither in his starting XI as Aleks Kolarov and Fernando filled the gaps.
That particular duo have been involved in every friendly we've seen while Denayer is yet to have a kick.
David Moyes will have been watching intently as he prepares his team for Saturday's game.
Tosin Adarabioyo.
Hart question lingers
How long will Joe Hart be City's No.1 for?
It's a question large swathes of the support don't even want to entertain; the keeper remains a superb shotstopper, a popular figure and important part of the dressing room.
But the amount of interest City have shown in other goalkeepers this summer has undermined the England player's security, while his performance at the Euros hardly helped.
Joe Hart.
It was a similar story in Gothenburg as what looked like a curious decision to start Willy Caballero was followed by Hart coming on and almost immediately conceding a goal.
Hart should be in goal against Sunderland, but his long-term future looks less certain.
Aguero on form
Sergio Aguero scores his goals in bunches so it should be pleasing ahead of the opening day that the Argentine has been on target in his last two appearances.
With injuries tending to dog the striker at some point every season, it is important to take advantage when he is in form - as he tends to do.
