Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush has been ruled out of Sunday’s Manchester derby after sustaining a knee injury while representing Egypt in a World Cup qualifier.
The 26-year-old was forced off in the ninth minute of Egypt’s goalless draw with Burkina Faso in Ouagadougou on Tuesday following a heavy challenge early in the match.
Marmoush, who joined City from Eintracht Frankfurt in January for £59m, initially tried to continue after receiving on-field treatment but was replaced shortly afterwards by Osama Faisal.
Scans conducted in Egypt indicated that he would not be fit for the clash with Manchester United, with City confirming he will return to Manchester for further assessment and the start of his rehabilitation programme.
Since his arrival at the Etihad, Marmoush has become an important option in Pep Guardiola’s attacking line, scoring eight goals in 28 appearances.
His absence leaves City facing a potential shortage in attack, particularly with summer signing Rayan Cherki sidelined by a hamstring problem, and Phil Foden also struggling with fitness issues after missing the recent defeat to Brighton.
The timing of the injury is a setback for Guardiola, who will be preparing his side for one of the most high-profile fixtures of the Premier League calendar.
The derby at the Etihad Stadium, scheduled for Sunday at 16:30 BST, is often pivotal in shaping early-season momentum for both Manchester clubs.
Marmoush’s setback also comes as a blow to Egypt, where he has been a regular feature since making his international debut in 2021.
His early withdrawal against Burkina Faso disrupted the team’s attacking rhythm, and the Pharaohs were unable to find a breakthrough in what proved to be a frustrating qualifier.
With Marmoush joining the growing list of absentees, Guardiola may be forced to adjust his tactical approach against United.
The manager’s options could include relying more heavily on Erling Haaland or reshuffling midfielders into advanced roles to compensate for the lack of depth in wide and supporting positions.
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