In cities across Nigeria—from Lagos Island to the bustling streets of Kano—there’s an undeniable electricity when a Manchester Derby approaches, especially with the first clash of the 2025/26 season on the horizon. Fans flock to viewing centres and pepper soup joints, jerseys on, eyes glued to screens, eager for another chapter in the fierce rivalry between Manchester City and Manchester United. Yet this time, the blue half of Manchester faces an unprecedented challenge: a staggering injury crisis that could see as many as 13 first-team players sidelined for the encounter at the Etihad.
Pep Guardiola’s City side, famed for their squad depth, now find themselves stretched thin as they prepare not only for the derby but also for back-to-back high-stakes fixtures: a European battle with Napoli and a pivotal Premier League face-off with Arsenal. With such a packed schedule looming, the injury news has sparked heated debates from Ajegunle to Accra, as supporters discuss their club’s survival tactics over plates of jollof rice or cups of steaming millet porridge.
Major Setbacks: Who Misses the Manchester Derby and Why?
For fans who dissect every line-up and substitution, here’s a closer look at the likely absentees for City, and what their setbacks mean for the team’s ambitions and the rhythm of the derby watched across Africa.
(1) Marcus Bettinelli: The back-up goalkeeper has been sidelined since the start of the campaign with a mystery ailment. While not the first-choice, Bettinelli’s absence still adds to the team’s overall depth challenge—his compatriots Gianluigi Donnarumma, James Trafford, and Stefan Ortega are all vying for a spot between the posts, but one less option means Guardiola has fewer cards to play if injuries strike again.
(2) Rayan Ait-Nouri: The full-back, whose dazzling runs would not look out of place in a Sunday evening game at the Lekan Salami Stadium, misses out after picking up a knock in a gritty clash against Tottenham. Algeria left him out of national selection due to the setback, raising further questions about City’s options out wide.
(3) Josko Gvardiol: The Croatian defensive anchor has rejoined training in Manchester but, much to the disappointment of hopeful fans, skipped his country’s international camp as he focuses on healing. Nigerians may remember how a quick recovery once brought Victor Osimhen back to the pitch, but Gvardiol’s race against the clock is just as intense.
(4) Abdukodir Khusanov: A rising star for Uzbekistan, Khusanov suffered a calf injury during a punishing fixture against Brighton. Though his national team’s doctors hope for a two-week recuperation—suggesting he might be fit for the derby—uncertainty lingers, and City fans from Surulere to Kumasi hold their breath.
(5) Rico Lewis: After pulling out of England’s under-21s due to a knock, Lewis adds to the defensive reshuffling Guardiola must master. For a coach often praised for his tactical flexibility, the challenge is reminiscent of Nigerian football coaches managing injuries during NPFL crunch matches, mixing experience with raw youth at the heart of competition.
(6) John Stones: The influential England defender is nursing muscle tightness. While Bayern’s Thomas Tuchel described his withdrawal as “precautionary,” regular viewers know these injuries can quickly escalate—especially with a fixture list busier than Lagos traffic on a Monday morning.
(7) Rayan Cherki: French playmaker Cherki is out of action for up to two months with a thigh injury picked up in August. Guardiola has confirmed he’s unlikely to return before late October, potentially missing a series of crucial games. Losing a creative spark like Cherki can be as tough as missing the right spice in a pot of egusi soup—the team feels the difference with every touch and pass not taken.
(8) Phil Foden: Always a threat in midfield or attack, Foden sat out the Brighton game after being declared not fully match-fit. The word from the club is optimistic, suggesting his absence may only be a brief one, but his creative energy will undoubtedly be missed in the high-octane derby atmosphere, where moments of magic can decide the day.
(9) Mateo Kovacic: Fresh off Achilles surgery in June, the Croatian enforcer is inching towards a comeback, but medical updates suggest a return no earlier than September or October. Nigerian observers, familiar with stories of super eagles returning from surgery, know how delicate such recoveries can be for a box-to-box midfielder.
(10) Nico O’Reilly: The young midfielder, forced out of under-21 action with a knock, leaves City’s midfield drafts even lighter. For a club chasing trophies on multiple fronts, every setback in the engine room amplifies the pressure.
(11) Kalvin Phillips: Also recovering from Achilles surgery, Phillips finds himself fighting for fitness and for his place in Guardiola’s busy plans. Even if the England man returns soon, there is doubt over whether he’ll earn meaningful minutes.
(12) Savinho: Back at training during the break, this promising Brazilian winger is working hard to regain full sharpness. Supporters are eager to see his dribbling and pace unleashed, but medical teams are taking no risks as City prepare for their post-derby run.
(13) Omar Marmoush: Egyptian international Marmoush left the field on crutches after sustaining a knee injury in his side’s draw against Burkina Faso. He’s already been ruled out of the United fixture, denying City a versatile forward option against their greatest rivals.
The sheer scale of City’s injury list has turned into a major talking point—not just in English media, but in bars and bus parks across Nigeria and West Africa. Derbies are often decided by moments of brilliance, unexpected heroes, and strategic depth. Yet with so many regulars unavailable, Guardiola may be forced to trust youth or fringe players to step up. In a viewing centre in Port Harcourt, seasoned supporter Mama Oge observed, “This kind of wahala never happen before. But, who knows—maybe one new pikin go shine.” The sense of hope amid adversity is what binds football lovers from Ojota to Osu, always believing in a surprise twist or a Cinderella story.
Globally, Manchester City’s predicament has become a source of fascination for rival fans and analysts alike. Could this stretch of injuries derail their Premier League ambitions? For millions tuning in from Accra, Dakar, and Johannesburg, the unfolding drama is just as important as the goals themselves. Football is, after all, not just a game but a living story—a reminder of resilience, adaptation, and hope.
As the eagerly awaited derby approaches, supporters across Africa will be discussing not just tactics or favourite players, but also the wild unpredictability that makes football beloved from Ijebu Ode to Tamale. Will Guardiola’s patched-up squad defy the odds? Or will Manchester United take advantage of their neighbour’s misfortune to claim early bragging rights?
Over to you, football fans: which player’s absence will hurt City the most, and who do you think will become the unlikely hero of this Manchester Derby? Share your thoughts with the NowahalaZone community below, and if you have a local derby story of your own—at a viewing centre, street pitch, or family watch party—send it to story@nowahalazone.com for a chance to be featured!
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