Manchester City’s Oscar Bobb sustains bone fracture injury in training

Oscar Bobb has sustained a bone fracture in his leg during a non-contact training ground incident for Manchester City on Wednesday, City Xtra understand.

The Norwegian forward has endured a stellar start to his 2024/25 campaign, starring in Manchester City’s pre-season tour of the United States, before providing a Player of the Match-winning performance against Manchester United in the FA Community Shield.

Offering goals and assists throughout Manchester City’s four-game schedule Stateside, Bobb was eyeing a fast start to the new competitive season, targeting competition with Savinho for the right-wing berth.

That run of form continued into the first competitive game of the calendar, as he provided a crucial assist in the dying embers of the Wembley Stadium contest to ensure a late equaliser for Manchester City against Erik ten Hag’s men.

However, in light of the highs of a penalty shoot-out victory over Manchester United and his exceptional performance in the traditional curtain-raiser to the domestic top-flight season, Oscar Bobb’s progress will no grind to a halt.

Following speculation on social media, City Xtra understands that Manchester City’s Oscar Bobb has fractured a bone in his leg, but the full severity of the problem will remain unknown until the Norwegian forward has been fully assessed.

Further reporting from The Times’ Paul Hirst has confirmed that the problem was sustained via a non-contact situation in Manchester City training on Wednesday, whilst BBC Sport’s Simon Stone has revealed the issue was sustained ‘whilst turning’ during the session.

Speaking to TV 2, Norway national team head coach Ståle Solbakken has already been quizzed on reports concerning Oscar Bobb’s injury, to which he has explained, “What I can say is that I have spoken to Mario (Pafundi, Manchester City First-Team Sport Therapist) who can confirm that there is probably an injury of a certain extent. I can’t say anything more now.”

Ahead of full confirmation, a number of follow-up reports have provided their own insight and information into the severity of the problem, with the Mirror’s Simon Mullock reporting that the initial hope inside the club is that Bobb’s injury is ‘not as serious as first feared’.

Additionally, The Athletic’s Manchester City correspondent Sam Lee has reported that City hope that the Norway international will be back in action for the club before the end of 2024, as initial checks suggested that the injury is not a serious break.

Manchester City, alongside guidance from medical experts and Oscar Bobb’s team, will now make a decision on whether to send the Norway international to renowned Barcelona-based specialist Dr Ramon Cugat – used by the club on numerous occasions in the past.

The injury to Oscar Bobb has come at a time when many, including Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola, were tipping the 21-year-old for a stellar breakthrough season in the Etihad Stadium first-team squad.

Speaking after the dramatic 7-6 penalty shoot-out win over Manchester United in last weekend’s Community Shield, Guardiola said of Oscar Bobb and James McAtee, “They have the standards that we have.

“I know them, especially McAtee, from a long time ago. We saw Oscar last season. They have the confidence from their mates. They adore them. The can rely on them. Oscar make a fantastic game in the States.

“Macca’s first two games in the US were not good but every game he is better and today was closer to the McAtee he can be.”

Pep Guardiola is expected to provide a further update on Oscar Bobb’s injury on Friday afternoon, ahead of Manchester City’s Premier League opener against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.