Ruben Dias had suffered an injury ahead of Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat to AFC Bournemouth that led to his omission from the starting line-up.
Dias started in City’s 2-1 loss against Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup before being substituted at half-time — possibly indicating that Pep Guardiola felt it was best to start him.
However, the Portuguese international replaced Manuel Akanji, who sustained an injury in the warm-up before the game and as a result, he was thrown in to face Ange Postecoglou’s side in an unexpected turn of events.
In Dias’ absence, Pep Guardiola fielded Akanji alongside Nathan Ake, with Kyle Walker and Josko Gvardiol comprising a back four that struggled against Bournemouth.
Manchester City suffered their second loss in all competitions this season as Andoni Iraola’s side captapulted themselves to eighth place in the Premier League table.
Pep Guardiola’s claim about Bournemouth’s intensity overpowering City summed up how they brutalised the visitors with their pace and power at the Vitality Stadium, with Antoine Semenyo and Evanilson’s goals cancelling Josko Gvardiol’s late header out.
Pep Guardiola reveals Ruben Dias is injured until the international break
City’s players would have been looking forward not just to return to winning ways after their recent defeat to Spurs but also capitalising on Arsenal’s 1-0 loss to Newcastle United at St. James’ Park.
Erling Haaland reacted to City’s defeat by urging his teammates to keep working hard after a disappointing day at the office for them.
In the aftermath of Manchester City’s surprise result against Bournemouth, Pep Guardiola confirmed that Dias’ injury will rule him out of action until after the international break.
Guardiola said via journalist Mike Minay: “They are injured. Ruben [Dias] until the international break will be injured, John [Stones], I don’t know if he’ll be back for the next two games.”
Dias and John Stones, who both started against Tottenham could be set not to be available for selection in the immediate future.
The former, who is an ever-present figure in Roberto Martinez’s backline could also miss Portugal’s upcoming fixtures against Poland and Croatia in the UEFA Nations League.
It was reported last Tuesday that Manchester City could sell Ruben Dias as a part of a major squad rejig in the summer.
Which games has Dias been ruled out of for Man City now?
The four-time Premier League winner is contracted at the Etihad Stadium until 2027.
With Manchester City conceding goals for fun this campaign, the 27-year-old’s presence is as important as it has ever been to help solidify his side’s defence.
But until Dias is injured, the Premier League winners will have to contend in his absence. Here is a list of the games that the former Benfica colossus is set to be ruled out of.
| COMPETITION | OPPONENT |
| CHAMPIONS LEAGUE | SPORTING CP |
| PREMIER LEAGUE | BRIGHTON |
After the international break, Manchester City host Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium.
Whether Dias will be fit and ready to start against the Lilywhites is the question.
In the meantime, the treble-winner will be hoping to recover as quickly as possible to make a swift return to action.
