Manuel Pellegrini has backed Samir Nasri to rediscover his best form for Manchester City this season.

The 2014/15 vintage Nasri was a shadow of the player who starred in City's run to the Premier League title the season prior, and looked like he could be on the outer at the Etihad Stadium after the arrival of English pair Fabian Delph and Raheem Sterling.

The Frenchman scored the only goal in a friendly against Australian side Melbourne City on Saturday night, and his manager has backed him in to again produce his best as City prepare for another assault on the Premier League title.

"I think Samir knows he can be a very important player in this team," Pellegrini said after the win on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

"He didn't have a good season last season but I'm sure this [season] we will see again the Samir Nasri that we saw two seasons ago."

The Sky Blues' Premier League season kicks off against West Bromwich Albion on August 10. This week, City face AS Roma at the MCG as past of the 2015 International Champions Cup ahead of Friday's clash with Real Madrid, also in Melbourne.