Pep Guardiola looked tired. It wasn't just the usual post-match fatigue after the Manchester derby on January 17, 2026. It was the look of a man who is basically trying to build a brick wall while running out of bricks. The latest manchester city injury news is, quite honestly, a bit of a nightmare for the blue half of Manchester.
The derby ended in a 2-0 loss. But the real story isn't just the scoreline; it’s the fact that City’s backline is currently being held together by hope and a few academy graduates.
The Defensive Black Hole
If you’ve been following the squad lately, you know the center-back situation is dire. It’s not just "one or two guys out." It’s a full-blown crisis.
Josko Gvardiol is the big one. He’s out for a "long, long period" with a tibial fracture. Surgery was the only option there. Then you have Ruben Dias, the literal heartbeat of that defense, sidelined with a hamstring tear. Pep confirmed he’s looking at four to six weeks.
And then there's John Stones.
Stones is a enigma. He’s been out with a thigh problem, and the vibes coming out of the Etihad aren't great. Reports suggest he might not even get a contract renewal this summer because his availability has become such a massive gamble.
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- Josko Gvardiol: Tibial fracture (long-term)
- Ruben Dias: Hamstring (out until mid-February)
- John Stones: Thigh (no clear return date)
Because of this, we're seeing kids like Max Alleyne—who was literally just recalled from a loan at Watford—starting massive games. He’s doing his best, but asking a 20-year-old to anchor a Premier League title charge is... well, it's a lot.
The Midfield Pendulum: Rodri is Back (Sorta)
There is one tiny bit of sunshine. Rodri is actually playing again.
After that horrific ACL layoff and then a follow-up hamstring issue in late 2025, the Ballon d'Or winner started the derby. He’s clearly not at 100%. He looks a half-step slow, which is totally normal after being out for basically 600 days. But with Nico Gonzalez missing the derby due to a "knock" and Mateo Kovacic still in the treatment room, Pep didn't have a choice. He had to throw Rodri into the fire.
It's a risky game. If Rodri breaks down again because he was rushed back to cover for Nico, City’s season is effectively over.
What’s up with Kevin De Bruyne?
A lot of people keep asking why KDB isn't in the lineup. Honestly, it’s because he’s not even at the club anymore.
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He’s over at Napoli, but even there, his luck hasn't changed. He’s currently recovering from major hamstring surgery in Belgium and won't be back on a pitch until at least February 2026. It’s sad to see, but for City fans, he’s no longer part of the injury report—just a part of the history books.
Is Erling Haaland Okay?
This is where things get interesting. Haaland is playing, but he’s not Haaland-ing.
He’s scored 26 goals this season, which sounds amazing, but he’s currently in a bit of a "slump" by his standards. Pep gave a weirdly cryptic fitness warning before the United game, basically saying Erling is exhausted. He’s being asked to do everything because the creative sparks behind him—Oscar Bobb and Savinho—are also injured.
Bobb has been out for a while, and Savinho’s absence has robbed the team of that chaotic wing play that usually opens up space for the big Norwegian.
The January Transfer Band-Aid
You don't usually see City panic-buy. But they are definitely "urgently shopping" right now.
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The Marc Guehi deal from Crystal Palace is reportedly in the "final stages." It’s a £20 million move that basically has to happen. Without Guehi, City are one Nathan Ake sneeze away from having zero senior center-backs.
They also looked at Jhon Lucumí from Bologna, but—get this—he got injured too. You actually couldn't make this up. It's like a virus is hitting anyone who even thinks about playing defense for Pep right now.
Actionable Insights for the Next Month
If you're tracking City for your FPL team or just out of pure stress, here’s the reality of the next few weeks:
- Don't expect clean sheets: With Alleyne and Khusanov starting, City are going to concede. They are six points behind Arsenal for a reason.
- Watch the Nico Gonzalez news: If he returns for the Wolves game next weekend, it allows Rodri to be rotated. That is huge for Rodri's long-term health.
- The Guehi factor: As soon as Marc Guehi is registered, he starts. There will be no "bedding-in period" like Grealish or Rodri had. He’s a tactical necessity from day one.
- Marmoush's return: Omar Marmoush is finishing up AFCON duty with Egypt (the third-place playoff is this weekend). His return will finally give Haaland some much-needed relief in the attacking rotation.
The title race isn't over, but the medical staff at the City Football Academy are currently the most important people at the club. More than Pep. More than Haaland. If they can't get Dias or Gvardiol back sooner than expected, the trophy might be heading to North London.
Monitor the training photos on Friday. If you don't see Nico or Dias on the grass, expect another "creative" (read: terrifying) lineup next weekend.