Man Utd’s Manuel Ugarte in doubt to face Brentford after suffering knock vs Ecuador
The nature of his injury remains unclear, but it raises concerns over his availability for Saturday’s clash at Old Trafford.
Manchester City continued their searing start to the season as the Citizens smashed Stoke City 7-2 to open up a two-point lead at the top of the Premier League table on Saturday night.
Striker Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring in the 17th minute and thanks to strikes from Raheem Sterling (19) and David Silva (27), Pep Guardiola’s men raced into a 3-0 lead before the half-hour mark.
A Mame Biram Diouf goal on the stroke of half-time and a Kyle Walker own goal almost immediately after the interval sparked fears of a Stoke comeback but City ran riot in a seven-minute spell to score three more to put the result beyond doubt.
Jesus (55) restored their two-goal advantage before defensive midfielder Fernadinho (60) unleashed a hammer of a shot to score from distance and winger Leroy Sane added another for good measure two minutes later.
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Substitute Bernanrdo Silva would score his first City goal 11 minutes from time to complete the rout but the standout player for the Sky Blues was one whose name did not feature on the scoresheet.
Kevin De Bruyne, the standout performer in their impressive win over defending champions Chelsea before the international break, pulled the strings in midfield once again and the Belgian’s tally of two assists did not do his performance justice.
The 26-year-old was immense and when he came off in the second-half, was rightly given a standing ovation by the adoring crowd at the Etihad.
On a day when all but one of their title rivals (Tottenham Hotspur) dropped points, City’s win came at the perfect time and their claim for another Premier League title continues to get strengthened.
Manchester United drew 0-0 with Liverpool earlier in the day while defending champions were stunned by bottom-ranked Crystal Palace and City are now two points clear of United and five ahead of Tottenham, who edged Bournemouth 1-0.
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