Man City Dealt Huge Blow! Manuel Akanji Faces Lengthy Layoff Due to Injury

Manuel Akanji, the Manchester City defender, has been ruled out for eight to ten weeks due to an adductor injury sustained in a recent UEFA Champions League match. Pep Guardiola confirmed that Akanji will undergo surgery on Saturday, which will keep him sidelined for a significant period.

The injury compounds Manchester City's defensive issues as Akanji joins Jack Grealish on the injury list. Grealish, who also picked up a knock in the same match, will miss the upcoming Premier League clash against Newcastle United.

Guardiola, speaking ahead of the weekend’s match, acknowledged the challenges faced by his squad due to these injuries. The team is set to face Newcastle United on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 3:00 PM GMT, as they aim to maintain their position at the top of the Premier League standings.

The absence of Akanji and Grealish will test the depth of Manchester City's squad. Guardiola praised the defensive efforts of players like Akanji and Nathan Aké, who have been filling in out of their natural positions due to the team's injury crisis. He expressed confidence in his squad's ability to adapt despite these setbacks and wished Akanji a smooth and speedy recovery.

As Manchester City faces a critical stretch of games, they will rely on the tactical brilliance of Guardiola and the resilience of their players to navigate through this challenging period.