Manuel Akanji sidelined for eight to 10 weeks in latest Man City injury blow

Manchester City are set to be without defender Manuel Akanji for eight to ten weeks, manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed.

Akanji was forced off at half-time of City’s Champions League loss to Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday. The Switzerland iinternational now equires surgery to get past his latest injury.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Guardiola stated that he expects the 29-year-old to be out for “eight to 10 weeks”, which would mean him missing most of the rest of the season.

Manuel Akanji going down injured late in the first half during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off first leg match between Manchester City and Real Madrid. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Copa/Getty Images)

The City boss said: “Surgery on Saturday – his abductor is ‘broken’. We wish the best recovery for Manu – speedy – because the effort he has done this season has been unbelievable.

“He and Nathan (Ake) have played in difficult conditions, not being on top, to help the team in emergency conditions due to the lack of players in those positions. In the end, the body said ‘enough is enough’.”

Akanji has now joined the list of injuries Pep Guardiola has had to cope with this season.
England midfielder Jack Grealish lasted only half an hour against Real and is now rated doubtful for the City’s Premier League clash with Newcastle on Saturday.

Guardiola said: “It’s not as tough as what Manu has done but I don’t know if he will be ready for tomorrow. I don’t think so but we will assess in the next hours.”

This weekend’s game between two rivals for top-four places comes at an awkward time for City between the two legs of their play-off tie against Real, the first of which they agonisingly lost 3-2.

They now face a tough challenge to turn things around at the Bernabeu and reach the last 16 and Guardiola hopes a good performance against Newcastle can change the mood.