Academy graduates Luke Mbete, Josh Wilson-Esbrand, James McAtee, Rico Lewis, Cole Palmer and Liam Delap all featured in the victory at the NRG Stadium in Houston, and 22-year-old Julian Alvarez made his first start since his move from River Plate.
They looked assured throughout alongside our more experienced pros and De Bruyne believes they should use their opportunities in preseason to acclimatise to the style of our first team.
“We know the quality they have and preseason is good for them to get game time and understand how we play,” he said.
“They are doing very well.”
Watch the full interview above!
TEAMS
CITY: Ortega Moreno, Walker, Ake (Phillips 45’), Mbete, Cancelo (Wilson-Esbrand 45’), Rodrigo, De Bruyne (C) (McAtee 71’), Bernardo (Kayky 76’), Mahrez (Palmer 45’), Alvarez (Delap 71’), Grealish (Lewis 76’).
SUBS: Ederson, Carson, Haaland, Bobb, Burns, Knight.
CLUB AMERICA: Ochoa (C) (Jimenez), Sanchez (Layun), Lara (Valdez), Araujo, Fuentez (Reyes), Sanchez (Aquino), Dos Santos, Zendejas, Valdes, Fidalgo, Martin (Campos).
SUBS: Tapia, Martinez, Caceres, Vinas, Martinez, Moreno, Damm, , Rodriguez.
