Manchester City Star to Miss Next Three Matches Due to Injury, Confirms Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Abdukodir Khusanov will miss three upcoming fixtures after sustaining an injury during Manchester City’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.

Khusanov’s Injury Confirmed

The 21-year-old Uzbekistan international was forced off at half-time against Arsenal, and Guardiola has now revealed in his latest press conference that Khusanov will be sidelined for at least three matches. “Yeah, [he] will be out [for the] next three games,” Guardiola told reporters.

Matches Khusanov Will Miss

• Carabao Cup: Third round tie away to Huddersfield Town
• Premier League: Home clash against Burnley
• UEFA Champions League: Away trip to AS Monaco

Impact on Manchester City’s Defence

Khusanov’s absence comes at a testing time for City, who are already managing fitness issues elsewhere in defence. John Stones is still being carefully handled after recent injuries, while Rayan Ait-Nouri has only just returned from an ankle problem, leaving Nico O’Reilly to fill in at full-back.

The young Uzbek defender had quickly become a reliable option under Guardiola, praised for his composure and adaptability across the backline since joining the club this summer. His injury therefore leaves a gap in the squad’s defensive depth during a demanding run of fixtures.

Opportunities for Young Players

With City already set to rotate in the Carabao Cup against Huddersfield, Khusanov’s absence could present opportunities for emerging prospects. Stephen Mfuni, who has recently stepped up from the Academy into first-team training, may be called upon to feature in Guardiola’s plans.

Short-Term Blow, Long-Term Planning

While Khusanov’s injury is only expected to keep him out for three games, it highlights the fine margins in City’s squad depth. Any further setbacks in central defence could force Guardiola into tactical adjustments, or even accelerate long-term reinforcement plans.

FAQs

What injury did Abdukodir Khusanov suffer?

The exact nature of the injury has not been disclosed, but it was sustained during the Arsenal match and forced him off at half-time.

How long will Khusanov be out?

Pep Guardiola has confirmed he will miss the next three matches across domestic and European competitions.

Which matches will he miss?

Khusanov will be absent for fixtures against Huddersfield Town (Carabao Cup), Burnley (Premier League), and AS Monaco (UEFA Champions League).

Who could replace him in the squad?

Youngster Stephen Mfuni could be handed first-team minutes, while experienced defenders like John Stones and Ruben Dias are expected to shoulder greater responsibility.

Conclusion

Abdukodir Khusanov’s injury comes at an inconvenient time for Manchester City as the fixture schedule intensifies. Though his absence is short-term, it underlines the importance of squad depth in Guardiola’s system. His recovery will be closely monitored as City aim to stay competitive across all fronts in the weeks ahead.