Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush set to miss Manchester derby with knee injury | OneFootball

Manchester City have been dealt a significant setback ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby with confirmation that Omar Marmoush (26) will miss the clash through injury.

As reported by BBC Sport, the 26-year-old forward, who joined City from Eintracht Frankfurt for £59m in January, suffered a knee injury while on international duty with Egypt. Marmoush was forced off after just nine minutes of Tuesday’s goalless World Cup qualifier against Burkina Faso in Ouagadougou, having initially attempted to continue following a heavy challenge in the fourth minute.

City released a statement on Wednesday confirming that Marmoush will return to Manchester for further assessment and to begin his rehabilitation. Early scans in Egypt suggested the striker would not be fit in time to face Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.

Marmoush has netted eight goals in 28 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side, and his absence leaves the champions short of attacking options. Summer signing Rayan Cherki remains sidelined with a hamstring issue, while Phil Foden’s fitness is still uncertain after he missed the defeat to Brighton before the international break.

With the Premier League title race finely poised, Guardiola faces a selection puzzle at the worst possible time, as City prepare for one of the season’s defining fixtures.

GFN | Finn Entwistle