Manchester City await assessment on fresh centre-back injury concern following FA Cup win

Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City backroom staff are currently awaiting the results of medical assessments on central defensive option Manuel Akanji.

The Switzerland international has largely been a mainstay in the starting line-ups for the club so far this season, operating in multiple positions for his Catalan manager as a result of his tactical intelligence on shortness in options elsewhere on the pitch.

Whilst operating in central defence on more occasions than other positions, Akanji has also provided high-level skillsets at full-back and defensive midfield at various points of the ongoing campaign.

Manager Pep Guardiola has been unafraid to pile on the praise for the former Borussia Dortmund man, stating earlier this season, “What a signing the Club has done. He can play full-back, central defender, now holding midfield.

“When he arrives in the final third, he has ability to make passes, he’s fast, he’s strong, what a player Txiki (Begiristain) has brought me here!”

However, Guardiola and his Manchester City coaching staff have now been left awaiting the medical assessment results on an injury that forced an early withdrawal from action in the FA Cup third round on Sunday afternoon.

Matheus Nunes replaced the 28-year-old after just 18 minutes, after Manuel Akanji was on the receiving end of a heavy challenge from newly-signed loanee midfield Alex Matos of Huddersfield Town.

Despite being booked for the tackle on the Manchester City defender, some questioned whether Matos was lucky to remain on the field of play, having escaped punishment for an apparent elbow into the head of Rico Lewis just moments earlier.

Akanji currently joins John Stones on the treatment table, with the England international currently in the early stages of his rehabilitation from an ankle injury sustained in victory over Everton last month.

Manchester City will likely understand the severity of Manuel Akanji’s problem in the coming days, as they turn attentions to a Premier League clash against Newcastle United on Saturday evening at St. James’ Park.