Manchester City sustain double defensive injury scare in Chelsea victory ahead of United showdown | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola will likely be left somewhat sweating over the fitness of two full-back options for the FA Community Shield clash with Manchester United.

City are now en route back to Manchester as they look to finalise their preparations for the start of the new competitive season with their returning first-team mainstays at the City Football Academy this week.

After three consecutive defeats Stateside, Guardiola’s players ended their tour of the country on a high note, with an emphatic 4-2 victory over Premier League rivals Chelsea in Ohio via an Erling Haaland hat-trick, as well as impressive Oscar Bobb and James McAtee showings.

But while there were notable positives to take from individual performances against Enzo Maresca’s side, a double concern for Pep Guardiola emerged either side of half-time concerning both of his starting full-back options.

On the stroke of the half-time interval, Josh Wilson-Esbrand became Manchester City’s first casualty of the relentless schedule over in the United States, succumbing to a right hamstring problem that forced him off at the break.

The Englishman was subsequently replaced by Tomas Galvez, as the Finland international played out the remainder of the contest from his natural left-back role and impressing with his pace in offensive areas.

But the concerns didn’t stop there for the Premier League champions, as Rico Lewis was forced off following an accidental clash with Raheem Sterling inside the Manchester City penalty area in the second-half.

Despite originally continuing, Lewis would drop to the floor just minutes later, indicating that a substitution was required. However, speaking after the game, Pep Guardiola confirmed that the reason behind the change was actually cramp.

It remains to be seen as to whether Wilson-Esbrand has sustained a problem that could put any hopes of a loan move into jeopardy for the forthcoming season, having returned for pre-season following spells with Stade Rennes and Cardiff City last season.

Manchester City take on Manchester United in the traditional curtain-raiser to the season next weekend, with the Premier League champions meeting last season’s FA Cup winners at the iconic Wembley Stadium.