Manchester City fans have criticised their club after it emerged that yet another player is now carrying an injury.
The Citizens are in the midst of a growing injury crisis, with a staggering 10 players either out or not fully fit ahead of the Manchester United derby.
John Stones is the latest to emerge as an injury worry, with England manager Thomas Tuchel confirming that the Manchester City man has had to pull out.
Some Man City fans have already expressed their desire to see Stones sold in wake of his latest injury issue.
Now, they’ve been criticising the club for a “crazy” decision they made in the transfer window that has left them in an increasingly difficult position.
Manchester City fans unhappy over so many defenders being loaned out
City fans have argued that the club would have been fully aware of John Stones‘ injury record, therefore they should not have loaned out so many defenders.
Manuel Akanji, Juma Bah and Vitor Reis were all loaned out over the summer.
“More p— poor management from City,” one fan wrote on X.
“As it stands our only two fit CB for the Derby are Dias and Ake – who is coming back from long term injury.
“We let Reis go out on loan which was crazy – given Stones can’t stay fit for five minutes and let an experienced, versatile international utility defender in Akanji go and now we have left ourselves short of defensive cover!”
Another fan said: “I don’t think there is any Manchester City fan who didn’t expect to hear the news that John Stones has been injured on International duty. It is the norm.
“We had his replacement Victor Reis here and sent him out on loan. Awful decision that we may regret if we can’t recall him.”
The criticism kept coming, with one fan saying: “Stones is injury-prone and we have the effrontery to send Reis and Akanji on loans! Oh Man City.”
Another wrote: “Gvardiol injured. Stones injured. Khus injured. Leaves Ake and Dias.
“I’m tired. Why did we loan Reis?”
Another said: “Stones/Ake won’t give us what we need this season.
“Brilliant defenders when fully fit, just can’t b—– stay fit for long, can they?
“Recurring injuries, too many inconsistencies.
“This is exactly why Reis has to be recalled, and we’ve got to strengthen at the back in January.
“Another right-back is absolutely essential. Getting Livramento in has to be the priority.”
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John Stones’ injury record
Throughout the 2024/25 season, Stones missed a total of 32 matches due to hamstring and foot injuries.
He also missed 10 games during the 2023/24 season with a hip issue and 13 the year before that with hamstring issues.
Stones is a great defender, and it’s obviously a shame whenever someone gets injured, but with that in mind, the club has to work around it.
Small squads just don’t work in this day and age, with players often getting 60-plus games under their belt for club and country every season.
With that in mind, letting so many defenders go out on loan really wasn’t a good shout.
