Pep Guardiola confirmed that Manchester City have suffered another injury scare, with Ruben Dias ruled out for “three or four weeks” due to a muscle injury.
The defender suffered the injury during last Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United, but played the entire 90 minutes.
Dias, who has already missed seven games in all competitions this season due to a calf injury, has made 13 appearances in the Premier League, with City keeping three clean sheets on the pitch.
He will miss the festive top matches and faces a race to get fit for the FA Cup match against Salford City and the Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain on January 22.
“He is out for a long time,” Guardiola said. “Three or four weeks – muscle problem.
“[He played] 75 minutes against United and felt something, but he is so strong so stayed on the pitch and is now injured.”
It is the latest in a number of injuries for the reigning champions this season, with Oscar Bobb, Nathan Aké, Manuel Akanji and Rodri all missing from the squad for the Manchester derby.
FUT [Ruben Dias will be out for] three or four weeks. It's muscular. [He played] After 75 minutes against United he felt something, but he is so strong and wanted to stay on the pitch. pic.twitter.com/6SEEUOwftL
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 20, 2024
Jeremy Doku, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden and John Stones have also been on the sidelines, while Ederson is doubtful for their trip to Aston Villa on Saturday.
Despite their injury concerns, Guardiola was optimistic during his press conference, a stark contrast to his gloomy mood last weekend.
City have lost eight of their last eleven games in all competitions (W1 D2), as many as in their previous 106 combined (W78 D20). The last time they lost more in a single campaign was in 2019-2020 (12).
“We had just played a game that we lost due to the conditions, and I wasn't happy,” he said.
“I try to be honest about the feelings of my teams. We have fallen six times [number of Premier League games without a win]we have to get up seven. There is no alternative.
“I'm doing well. I'm a normal person with feelings like all of us. If the situation goes well, we are better, but it's normal. I wouldn't go to the press conference if we were 1-0 ahead and express something which I didn't feel.”
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