Manchester City reveal reasons behind Bernardo Silva and Kalvin Phillips absence during 5-0 FA Cup win over Huddersfield

The absences of both Kalvin Phillips and Bernardo Silva from Manchester City’s matchday squad against Huddersfield Town have been confirmed by the club.

City cruised into the fourth round of the competition they hold the coveted trophy in on Sunday afternoon, defeating Championship side Huddersfield by a five-goal margin at the Etihad Stadium.

Goals from Phil Foden, Julian Alvarez, Jeremy Doku, and an own goal ensured City’s place in the next round of the tournament as they continue to go in search of defending last season’s historic Treble success.

However, some held concerns pre-match upon the release of Pep Guardiola’s official matchday squad list, after it was confirmed that two members of his midfield roster would play no part in the contest, staying away from the Etihad Stadium.

As per confirmation from Manchester City over the course of the weekend, it has been stated that both Kalvin Phillips and Bernardo Silva missed the dominant 5-0 victory over Huddersfield Town due to respective illnesses.

Speaking ahead of the weekend’s FA Cup meeting, Pep Guardiola had revealed that his first-team squad was battling with an illness, affecting four players in the lead-up to the third round of the tournament.

“Four players have problems,” Guardiola said during his pre-match press conference. “Bernardo (Silva), and Scotty (Carson), and Kalvin (Phillips), and Matheus (Nunes), like many people I think in this time, are suffering.”

Thankfully for Guardiola and his coaching staff, as well as Manchester City’s options, both Carson and Nunes returned from illness, with the latter playing a part in the majority of Sunday’s win following Manuel Akanji’s early withdrawal through injury.