Injury Crisis Haunts Manchester City Ahead of the Derby, Pep Guardiola Forced to Turn His Brain

Gilabola.com – Manchester City is facing a number of injury problems ahead of the derby match against Manchester United in the Premier League match tonight, which makes Pep Guardiola have to rack his brains to devise a strategy.

Of course, Inhabitant will face this derby with a weakened squad, especially at the back, with a number of defenders sidelined due to injury which reduces Guardiola’s options.

Manchester City actually only had three days to prepare for this match after previously having to travel to St James’ Park for the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday (14/1) WIB.

With such a busy and physically draining schedule, Pep Guardiola now hopes that no additional physical problems will arise in the final training session before this match.

Guardiola currently has to manage an injury crisis which has a significant impact on the defense line. This situation makes rotations and tactical options very limited in high-intensity matches like this Manchester derby.

The good news is, to add depth to their squad, Manchester City will reportedly soon complete a transfer agreement for Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace worth IDR 680 billion.

Key Player Injury Situation

Nico Gonzalez is the latest name to be sidelined due to injury after the midfielder was absent during the 2-0 win over Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup and Guardiola admitted that his player’s condition was not yet ideal.

In attack, Omar Marmoush is still unavailable as he is still appearing in the Africa Cup of Nations where Egypt will face Nigeria in the battle for third place.

Manchester City Injury List:

• Ruben Dias: thigh injury, comeback February 2026
• John Stones: thigh injury, no definite date yet
• Nico Gonzalez: not yet stable, evaluating before the match
• Mateo Kovacic: ankle injury, comeback towards the end of the season
• Savinho: knee injury, comeback February 2026
• Josko Gvardiol: shin fracture, comeback April/May 2026

The defense line is the most problematic sector. Ruben Dias is almost certain to be absent and Guardiola believes that the match against Manchester United is too soon for the Portuguese defender to return.

Dias, who has a serious injury and is expected to be out for four-six weeks, is not the only defender unavailable as John Stones is also still unavailable.

Oscar Bobb has a hamstring injury and is also unavailable here along with Josko Gvardiol, who suffered a broken tibia during the draw against Chelsea.

Mateo Kovacic is still recovering from an ankle injury, while Savinho is certain to be out for longer after suffering a knee injury.

Our opinion

This injury crisis will clearly affect the balance of Manchester City’s game, especially at the back, but Pep Guardiola still has enough resources in his squad to be able to win the Manchester derby tonight.