ManchesterWorld

Pep Guardiola might have to wait and see how his players return from the international break before selecting his line-up to take on Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.

Manchester City return to action following the two-week pause with a home game against Spurs in the Premier League. They have typically been tough opponents for Guardiola over the years, as highlighted by the 2-1 defeat in North London just three weeks ago.

That was the second match of City’s four-game losing streak prior to the international fixtures, along with defeats against Bournemouth, Sporting Lisbon and Brighton & Hove Albion which inflicted on Guardiola the worst run of his career in England.

Spurs are not the sort of opponents that City will have wanted immediately after the international break, albeit Ange Postecoglou’s side lost to Ipswich Town in their last outing. The champions have lost four of their last eight meetings against Tottenham, who earned a credible 3-3 draw at the Etihad in this fixture last season.

The availability of Guardiola’s squad will go a long way to deciding whether City slip up again this time. Up to 12 players had some form of injury concern hanging over them at the start of the break, a huge factor in the club’s recent run of form.

But with several players returning and news expected imminently on Guardiola’s new contract, there’s already a rejuvenated feeling to the team after a much-needed pause in the campaign. With all that in mind, here’s how we think City will line up this weekend…

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A Tottenham Hotspur star will miss upcoming games against Manchester City and Manchester United.

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Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has been handed a lengthy suspension after he was alleged to have made racial slurs aimed at Spurs teammate and captain Son Heung-min.

The ban relates to an incident where Bentancur was speaking to the media in Uruguay back in June. He was asked by the presenter of the show for a Tottenham shirt, to which he replied: ‘Sonny's? It could be Sonny's cousin too as they all look the same.’

Following this, the 27-year-old issued an apology to his followers on social media, condemning the comments he made stating that they were a ‘very bad joke’. Additionally, he also personally apologised to Son. Bentancur will miss no less than seven domestic games as a result of the ban. This will include Tottenham’s Premier League game against Manchester City on November 23 and their clash with Manchester United in the quarter finals of the League Cup on December 19. As well as this, he has also been fined £100,000 by the FA and will be required to attend a ‘face-to-face education programme’.

Bentancur will also miss games against Fulham, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Southampton and Liverpool. He will, however, still be available to play in the Europa League during this period as the ban is only applicable to domestic competitions. The Uruguayan international has been an important player for the Lilywhites so far this season and losing him for seven games will be a massive blow for Ange Postecoglou’s men. Thus far, Bentancur has made 15 appearances in all competitions for Spurs, scoring a single goal and notching up a solitary assist along the way.

Prior to his time at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Bentancur played for Boca Juniors and Juventus. He is a senior Uruguay international - at the time of writing, he has picked up 66 caps for his country, scoring three goals along the way. As such, Spurs could be short of options in the middle of the park when they play the two Manchester clubs - Pape Matar Sarr will likely take his place in the box-to-box role.

What has the FA said following the decision to hand Bentancur a ban?

The FA’s full statement on the matter reads as follows: “An independent Regulatory Commission has imposed a seven-match suspension and £100,000 fine on Rodrigo Bentancur for a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to a media interview.

“It was alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder breached FA Rule E3.1 as he acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or brought the game into disrepute. It was further alleged that this constitutes an ‘aggravated breach’, which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included a reference – whether express or implied – to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin.

“Rodrigo Bentancur denied this charge, but the independent Regulatory Commission found it to be proven and imposed his sanctions following a hearing. Its written reasons for these decisions can be seen below.“

A wave of recent injuries is threatening to derail Manchester City’s 2024/25 campaign.

An early-season stumble isn’t exactly uncharted territory for City and in recent years it’s often taken a herculean run of results in the second half of the season to win the title, but the team’s current form is particularly alarming. Indeed, a run of four losses against Tottenham Hotspur, Bournemouth, Sporting Lisbon and Brighton & Hove Albion prior to the international break is the worst during Pep Guardiola’s premiership.

“I think everybody needs [the international break],” the City boss said in the wake of Saturday’s loss at the Amex. “I think in our heads, it will be good for all of us; for the players, for ourselves, but especially for Ruben [Dias] to come back, hopefully John Stones comes back, and hopefully the other players.”

Dias and Stones were among the eight players who missed the game, while there are 12 injury concerns at present. To underline the severity of the problem, five players dropped out of their various international squads on Monday.

It leaves City with just nine representatives over the upcoming games, with Ederson, Stefan Ortega, Kyle Walker, Rico Lewis, Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic, Bernardo Silva, Savinho and Erling Haaland called up by their countries.

Guardiola will be hoping they all emerge unscathed from the final international fixtures of the year, and that several more are back for the next City game on 23 November against Spurs, before facing Feyenoord and Liverpool. Of the 12 injury concerns, it’s possible 10 might be fit when club football resumes. We’ve rounded up the latest on every single player suffering from injury at present…

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Manchester United picked up a point over the weekend in the Premier League

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Manchester United drew 1-1 with Chelsea on Sunday afternoon. Bruno Fernandes scored their goal from the penalty spot against the Blues but it was quickly cancelled out by Moises Caicedo’s impressive volley from the edge of the area at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils are preparing for life under new boss Ruben Amorim. With that in mind, here is a look at some of the latest news and rumours coming out of the club....

Striker latest

Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres doesn’t plan to join Amorim at United anytime soon, according to a report by Portuguese news outlet Record. The attacker has no intention of moving to the North West club at this moment in time and is focused on his duties with his current club right now.

Gyokeres, who is 26-years-old, made the move over to Portugal in July 2023 and penned a long-term deal until 2028. Therefore, Sporting are under no pressure to sell him anytime soon and can wait for the right offer to come in his for his services to consider cashing in.

He has been prolific for them since his switch and has scored 59 goals in 65 games in all competitions, 16 of which have come this season already. The Sweden international moved over to England in 2017 as a youngster from IF Brommapojkarna when Brighton and Hove Albion came calling.

Gyokeres spent four years at the AMEX Stadium and played eight times for the Seagulls’ first-team. He was loaned out to FC St. Pauli, Swansea City and Coventry City to get some experience under his belt before the latter snapped him up permanently.

The attacker was a hit during his days with the Sky Blues under former United man Mark Robins. He fired 40 goals in 97 outings to earn his transfer abroad to Sporting and he has since carried on his form under Amorim.

Left-back eyed

United have shown ‘interest’ in signing Lecce left-back Patrick Dorgu ahead of the January transfer window, according to Football Insider. Fellow top flight teams Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea have also been mentioned as potential suitors in the report with it appearing that there could be a battle for his signature.

The 20-year-old is being tipped for a bright future in the game and could be a useful option for the Red Devils down the line if they were to lure him over to England. His position has been an area of concern over recent times due to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia’s injury issues.

Dorgu grew up in Copenhagen, Denmark, and started out at Husum Boldklub. He then switched to Nordsjælland and rose up through their academy ranks and represented them at various different youth levels.

Lecce then snapped him up in 2022 and he penned an extension to his deal last year running until 2027. He has broken into their first-team despite his tender age and has become a key asset. The defender has featured for the Serie A outfit on 45 occasions, 11 of which have come this term, and he has found the net on four occasions from the past as he likes to get forward.

Manchester City have an alarming injury crisis heading into this weekend.

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Manuel Akanji has said he expects to be ready to face Bournemouth this weekend and should be back in training today (Friday).

The Swiss defender was named in the starting line-up at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday but had to pull out at the last minute after suffering from an injury niggle in the warm-up.

Speaking after the game, Pep Guardiola said: “Akanji yesterday in the last action felt something muscular in the meniscus and today in the warm-up he didn't feel good. He said he could take a risk but I said no.”

But Sky Sports have since revealed Akanji is hopeful of returning this weekend. Reporter Anton Toloui posted on X: “Chatted to Man City defender Manuel Akanji earlier. He’s hoping to be back in training tomorrow and ready for Bournemouth on Saturday.”

The 29-year-old was one of seven players that missed the Spurs defeat in the Carabao Cup, while Savinho had to be replaced after suffering a foot injury during the match. Guardiola also revealed that Ruben Dias has been ‘struggling’ recently.

The City boss is likely to give an update on the fitness of his squad in Friday’s pre-match press conference, but has already confirmed that Kyle Walker, Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish won’t be back. Rodri and Oscar Bobb are long-term absentees.

City may have lost their first match of the season in midweek, but head to the Vitality on the back of an unbeaten league record that stretches back nearly a year. Guardiola’s side are top of the table, having amassed 23 points from seven games.

As for the Cherries, they sit 11th in the table and have taken points off two top-four teams in the last two weeks. Andoni Iraola’s side beat Arsenal in their last home game before emerging from Villa Park with a point last week.

Manchester City’s list of absentees moved up to eight on Wednesday, an alarming number given Guardiola’s small squad.

Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur will have concerned Pep Guardiola for several reasons.

The Blues were cut open too often, there were a surprising number of misplaced passes and City lacked their usual incision in possession. However, none of those were the biggest issue for Guardiola.

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The Catalan made his pre-match fears clear in Tuesday’s press conference: “No injuries, please.”

But that wish was dashed before a ball was even kicked at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Manuel Akanji was forced to drop out of the starting XI after sustaining a knock in the warm-up. “In the last action, he felt something in the muscular part of his body and today in the warm-up he didn't feel good,” Guardiola explained after the game. “He said, 'No I can take a risk', and I said, 'No, no risk’.”

With no Akanji, Ruben Dias was hastily prepared to start at the heart of defence alongside John Stones, but the Portugal international was at fault for the game’s first goal as he followed Brennan Johnson high up the pitch, leaving a huge gap for the opposition to attack into. Seconds later, Timo Werner tapped in at the back post to give Spurs an early lead.

That advantage was doubled when Pape Sarr curled in from the edge of the area and, although Matheus Nunes pulled one back before the break, City couldn’t find an equaliser in the second period.

The disappointing night was compounded when Savinho was replaced with what looked like a serious injury just after the hour. It was an innocuous moment, as Savinho’s cross deflected for a corner. He turned and jogged away, but minutes later was writhing on the ground in agony.

A stretcher was required and the Brazilian seemed in substantial pain as he made his way off the pitch. It looks unlikely that Savinho will be available to face Bournemouth at the weekend, and with Oscar Bobb, Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish out it means City could be without all four wingers for the trip to the south coast.

Guardiola confirmed post-match that Grealish is unlikely to be back in time, along with Kyle Walker, while no return date has yet been provided for Kevin De Bruyne’s ongoing injury woes. Rodri’s long-term absence could bring the number of players missing against Bournemouth up to eight. “Tomorrow we have two keepers and Erling Haaland for a training session,” Guardiola joked.

The only upside of Wednesday’s defeat was a positive impact from City’s youngsters. Nico O’Reilly played a part in the build-up to Nunes’ goal, Jacob Wright nearly found the back of the net in the second period, while late substitute Jahmai Simpson-Pusey was one of the team’s best performers during his late cameo. City fans might get used to the sight of the trio over the coming weeks, Guardiola has no other option.

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Pep Guardiola has said he might have to select youth-team players on Wednesday amid a spate of injuries.

Manchester City teenager Jahmai Simpson-Pusey has been included in the first-team squad for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur.

The defender, who captained City to FA Youth Cup triumph last season, was part of the club’s squad that travelled to the USA on pre-season tour last summer but has never played a senior competitive game for City.

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That could change at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and Manchester World understands Simpson-Pusey has been selected in Pep Guardiola’s matchday squad. City are contending with a flurry of recent injuries, with six senior players missing.

Guardiola indicated last week that he might call up youth-team players for the Carabao Cup tie in the capital but said on Tuesday that he is wary of throwing in too many players against such high-quality opposition.

“I don’t want to put too much pressure for the young players in this stage against this opponent, for the way they play,” said the City boss. “There are some [youth players], but we play against Spurs,” he explained. “They are coming from a defeat and I know what is happening mentally, playing against Man City.”

Guardiola has previously used the Carabao Cup to blood youth-team players and handed Kaden Braithwaite a maiden appearance at just 16 in the last round against Watford. Simpson-Pusey could follow suit, and the 18-year-old was not named in City’s Under-21 squad against Grimsby Town on Tuesday night, the first game he’s missed this season at that age group.

Simpson-Pusey played against Celtic and AC Milan in pre-season and has been capped by England Under-18s. The centre-back is highly regarded at City and has trained with the senior team on several occasions over the last 12 months.

Rico Lewis, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake and Josko Gvardiol are also defensive options for Guardiola against Ange Postecoglou’s side.

Pep Guardiola could make several changes to his side for the midweek trip to Tottenham Hotspur.

The Carabao Cup tie has already been earmarked as the least important of City’s seven fixtures in between the October and November international breaks, and with a busy schedule Guardiola is hoping to rest several players.

Guardiola admitted at the weekend that he might have to select some members of his youth-team squad for the game, while the Catalan previously revealed he does not see the game as a priority.

“The next round, I announce to you, I will play the second team," Guardiola said. "We are not going to waste energy, for sure."

The fixture pile-up comes amid a spate of recent injuries, with six players missing for the Tottenham clash, something Guardiola said last week is a concern. “For one game, two games is fine. Now we have a tough period.”

However, speaking on Tuesday ahead of the game, the City boss seemed to imply he would select a strong team rather than calling up youngsters.

“Few players but we're going to try to do a good game. Last season we were out against Newcastle and played really well. Perform well, no injuries please and go to the last week of the international break.”

Regardless, changes seem likely for those who have played a lot in recent weeks. With all that in mind, here’s the XI we think Guardiola will name at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which includes six changes from Saturday’s win over Southampton…

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Manchester City are struggling with a plethora of injuries in the midst of a busy fixture schedule.

Pep Guardiola has said he won’t take any risks when selecting his Manchester City side against Tottenham Hotspur and could be forced to call up several youngsters into the first-team squad.

City face seven games in 21 days in between the October and November international break, and with the Blues playing four league games and two in the Champions League in that period, Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash at Spurs has been deemed as the least important fixture.

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Guardiola even admitted after eliminating Watford in the third round that he wouldn’t ‘waste energy’ on the competition and claimed City could play their ‘second team’. The hectic schedule has been compounded by a lack of available players in recent weeks.

Six of Guardiola’s first-team squad missed Saturday’s win over Southampton through injury and none are expected back for the midweek trip to the capital. City have named just seven players on the bench in each of their last two games, including two goalkeepers.

Speaking ahead of the Southampton game, Guardiola admitted that he is concerned about the number of players he is currently working with and said that having just 15 outfield players is a problem. It means City don’t have too many options to rotate against Spurs, but Guardiola plans to rest anyone who needs it.

“We have to take care of ourselves. Good sleep, drinks, good food, sleep a lot, training and recovery,” the Catalan said on Saturday. “We are who we are. I would love to have everyone, it's not the position.

“We are few, few people. Okay, we have to do what we have do to. I don't know if I'm going to think against Spurs, maybe some players from the academy. I don't know. We will see tomorrow, the day after tomorrow. Fortunately we have four days [off], not three.

“We are going there to compete but the main target is Bournemouth, Sporting and Brighton before the international break. We are not going to take a decision… if the players are fine they are going to play against Spurs but if they have doubts I'm not going to take a risk against Spurs, that's for sure.”

City’s trip to Tottenham is the first of four consecutive away games before the November international break, followed by Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday.

Latest Manchester United transfer news and rumours as they prepare for the new Premier League season

Manchester United are busy preparing for the start of the new Premier League season. They have handed boss Erik ten Hag a new deal this summer after they won the FA Cup last term by beating rivals Manchester City in the final at Wembley.

The Red Devils have the chance to bring in some more players over the coming weeks. Here is a look at some of the latest news and rumours coming out of the club...

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Midfielder linked

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According to a report by German news outlet Fussball News, United are keen on a move for Guidars FC midfielder Sekou Kone. Salzburg, Crystal Palace and Wolves.

The 18-year-old is being tipped for a bright future in the game and could land a move to Europe soon from Africa. He caught the eye at the Under-17 World Cup playing for Mali.

Ten Hag could see him as someone who is capable of breaking into his team down the line.

Target joins Aston Villa

United-linked Jaden Philogene has returned to Aston Villa from Hull City. They sold him to the Tigers last September and he has now gone back to Villa Park after scoring 12 goals in the last campaign.

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TEAMtalk claimed in July that he was on the Red Devils' radar. However, they will now have to look elsewhere for targets in his position.

Philogene has said: "It feels amazing, it’s like I’m back at home.

“Unai (Emery) spoke to me face-to-face and we had a very good conversation about my playing time.

“He said I did well when I was here in pre-season last year and that I’m going to get chances this time. It also depends on me and how I play. It’s the latest chapter in my Villa journey and hopefully I can play my best, get game time and do it in front of the fans.

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“What I did at Hull, I want to do the same things at Villa Park; make the fans aware of my skills and score goals.

“It’s a dream come true. When I was a little boy I wanted to play in the Champions League. I’ve always thought I want to be there one day and here I am.”

Midfielder update

Tottenham Hotspur are keen on United midfielder Scott McTominay along with Fulham, according to The Sun.

He has recently been away at Euro 2024 with Scotland but they didn't get out of their group in the end in Germany.

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The Red Devils have a decision to make regarding his long-term future at Old Trafford amid interest from elsewhere.

McTominay, who is 27-years-old, has risen up through the academy ranks at United. He was a regular for them at various different youth levels before breaking into their first-team.

He has never played for another club and has made 252 appearances in all competitions to date, finding the net on 29 goals.

The Lancaster-born man scored 10 goals last term but his future is up in the air right now amid new attention from Spurs.