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 boss Pep Guardiola admitted he was in the dark somewhat over his side’s injuries ahead of their Premier League trip to the Britannia Stadium to take on Stoke City, as he revealed that Fernandinho, Raheem Sterling and Fabian Delph would be assessed once again before getting the all-clear to play against the Potters.
“Some of them are better,” the Catalan stated at his pre-match press conference on Friday.
Defensive midfielder Fernandinho tweaked his hamstring during CIty’s Carabao Cup Final win over Arsenal towards the end of February and has been missing in action ever since.
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Fabian Delph had been missing from matchday squads due to a three-game domestic suspension, but didn’t feature in the dual-legged UEFA Champions League tie against FC Basel as well due to a muscular complaint.
“Fernandinho and Sterling are much better. Fabian Delph is like this, like that (uncertain),” Guardiola expressed.
In-form winger Raheem Sterling has been struggling with a muscular complaint as well and has missed the last two Premier League ties (Arsenal and Chelsea).
“We have training sessions to decide before (the game). Today, the players are off so I don’t exactly know the situation,” added the 47-year-old tactician.
League leaders City make the short journey to Stoke on Monday night and will be looking to register their 26th win of what has been a truly remarkable season.
Guardiola’s men have swatted aside literally everyone enroute to what almost certainly seems like a Premier League title and with the Carabao Cup already wrapped up, the Sky Blues are also looking to extend their domestic dominance on the continent.
Despite losing the second leg of their European tie against FC Basel, the Citizens romped into the quarters of the UEFA Champions League and are expected to make a deep run, at the very least, in this year’s competition, with some even pegging them as favourites.
And as a boost for the the Sky Blues, long-term absentee Benjamin Mendy has rejoined first-team training. The powerful fullback, a popular figure at the club, suffered an ACL injury in September and is expected to return to competitive action by the end of April.
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