Manchester City may leave the United States with a major injury concern | OneFootball

Manchester City crashed out of the FIFA Club World Cup at the round of 16 stage with a 4-3 defeat to Al Hilal at the Camping World Stadium. The defeat was a disappointing one but there were positives to come out of the tournament for Pep Guardiola’s side. Rodri’s return and performances showed that he could and should return to his best in time. But coming out of last night’s match Pep Guardiola told the media that Rodri had picked up an unspecified injury. That is a cause for concern for Manchester City coming out of the tournament.

Rodri was taken off against Al Hilal due to an injury concern.

Rodri came off the bench during yesterday’s match against Al Hilal in the 53rd minute. Manchester City’s midfield general replaced Ilkay Gundogan. The Spanish international was then replaced by Phil Foden in the 100th minute of the match. At the time it did feel like it was a tactical move. Manchester City were 3-2 down when Rodri was replaced by Foden.

Speaking after his team’s defeat to Al Hilal, Pep Guardiola explained why Rodri was replaced by Foden. The Manchester City manager explained that Rodri had picked up an unspecified injury concern. When asked why Rodri was replaced, Guardiola said: “We have to see Rodri, he complained about his (injury) situation, but we need time to come back.”

Manchester City will be hoping Rodri’s injury isn’t anything serious, but it isn’t a surprise to see him pick up a fresh injury concern.

As the Manchester City players and staff return to Manchester after their FIFA Club World Cup exit, they’ll be hoping that Rodri’s fresh injury concern isn’t anything too serious. Fortunately, there are six weeks until Manchester City’s first Premier League fixture of the 25/26 season against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux. So there is time for Rodri to recover from what ailment forced him off the pitch against Al Hilal.

But, being realistic, it isn’t a surprise to learn that Rodri has picked up a fresh injury concern. Manchester City’s midfield general is working his way back from a serious injury. There was always bound to be setbacks on Rodri’s road to recovery. He appears to have suffered one against Al Hilal. The hope is that it isn’t a major injury and he can recover in time for the start of a new season.

Rodri’s fresh injury concern will likely be revealed in time. It is a cause for concern for Manchester City to see Rodri suffer a fresh injury concern. But it isn’t a surprise considering how long he has been out for. While it is a cause for concern, it doesn’t detract from the fact that Rodri showed glimpses in the United States that he could and should return to his best in time.