Manchester City duo absent from Sheffield United travelling squad in fresh setback

Manuel Akanji and Phil Foden are both reportedly absent from the Manchester City squad that travelled to Sheffield United for Sunday’s Premier League clash.

Manchester City have the opportunity to move to the top of the Premier League table and create an early two point gap with victory on Sunday afternoon, after Arsenal and Brighton both failed to extend their winning starts to the season.

The treble-winners are looking for a third consecutive Premier League win when they travel to Bramall Lane to take on newly-promoted Sheffield United, with the Blades one of four teams yet to register a single point.

Manchester City, who beat Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium last weekend, will be without manager Pep Guardiola for Sunday’s trip to Yorkshire, after the 52-year-old underwent emergency surgery in Barcelona for a back problem in midweek.

Juanma Lillo is set to take charge of the Sky Blues until the September international break, but will be unable to select either Kevin De Bruyne or John Stones due to injury.

The 57-year-old also faces a potential further selection headache, with Manuel Akanji and Phil Foden both reportedly absent from the Manchester City squad that travelled for Sunday’s Premier League clash.

That is according to the information of reputable X user ‘FPL Maine Road’, who reports that neither Akanji or Foden were seen travelling with the Manchester City squad to Sheffield.

Foden played a crucial role in the Blues’ victory last weekend, occupying a central role in the absence of both Bernardo Silva and De Bruyne.

Akanji has started in all four of Manchester City’s matches across all competitions so far this season, keeping a clean sheet in successive Premier League outings.

It is further claimed by X user ‘FPL Maine Road’ that Foden ‘should’ still be with the Manchester City squad for tomorrow’s game, but will travel alone to the Premier League fixture.

Manchester City are expected to welcome Bernardo Silva back to the matchday squad for Sunday’s match, while latest summer signing Jeremy Doku could make his debut, having completed a £55.4 million move from Rennes on Thursday.

The 21-year-old signed a five-year deal at the Etihad Stadium and became the Blues’ third signing of the summer transfer window.