If you predict football like this, you will not get it right, this is just three games, out of 38 games. You don't expect Manchester city to win the whole 38 games. It's better you have a slow start of the season than to have a slow end when it matters most. Other team will still lose more than them. But I truly understand your point, it will reduce the confidence of the player, when you lose like this, but the good news is that the players are all playing in their various nations at the intentional break. They will come back with more energy and confidence to face Manchester United.  It will be a difficult game for both team, because they are both struggling in the league.

Manchester city, struggle at end of last season, yet they were able to finish  3rd, they start to struggle last season because of the coach pep Guardiola divorce, it affected the team performance , because the coach wasn't mentality strong. The club has to give Pep Guardiola some break, to fix himself. Manchester city game plan is not improving at tall, and if nothing is done about it, they will end badly this season.  Pep Guardiola has done his as best for the Club, but right now they need a new coach to put the team together.