Boluwatife Kehinde
Manchester City have confirmed that Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush will miss Sunday’s Manchester derby after sustaining a knee ligament injury while on international duty.
The 26-year-old suffered the setback during Egypt’s recent match, following a heavy tackle that left him struggling to continue. Though he initially attempted to play on, Marmoush was eventually forced to limp off the pitch.
“Initial results on a scan performed in Egypt indicate he will not be available for the Manchester derby on Sunday, and he will now return to Manchester for more assessment and to begin his rehabilitation,” City said in an official statement on Wednesday.
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The Egyptian Football Association had earlier described the problem as a “bruised knee ligament,” but further medical checks have since revealed more serious damage.
City’s medical staff are expected to conduct additional scans to determine the full extent of the injury and how long he could be sidelined.
The news comes as a major setback for Pep Guardiola’s side, who face Manchester United this weekend with both teams under pressure to deliver a result after inconsistent starts to the Premier League campaign.
City have lost two of their opening three league matches and are desperate to rediscover form in one of the season’s most high-profile fixtures.
Marmoush has quickly established himself as a key attacking option for Guardiola since he arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt in January for £59 million ($79.8 million).
The forward has netted eight goals in 28 appearances across all competitions for the Premier League champions, offering pace, energy, and versatility across the frontline.
His absence will force Guardiola into a tactical rethink ahead of the derby, with the Spaniard already juggling fitness concerns in his squad.
The club will hope the Egyptian international’s recovery is swift, but early indications suggest he could be set for a spell on the sidelines at a crucial stage of the season.
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The Manchester derby takes place at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, where both City and United will be looking to ignite their league campaigns with a statement victory.
