Manchester City are preparing for one of their biggest games of the season, the Manchester derby against United at the Etihad Stadium, but the build-up has already been overshadowed by the news of an injury to one of their star men Omar Marmoush. The Egyptian forward, who has quickly become a key player in Pep Guardiola’s attack, suffered a knee injury while on international duty for Egypt in a World Cup qualifier against Burkina Faso. What makes it even more painful for City is the way it happened. Just four minutes into the game, Marmoush was caught by a brutal tackle that sent him straight to the ground. He tried to carry on, showing the warrior spirit that has made him so popular with fans, but after just nine minutes he had to be taken off. Egyptian doctors later confirmed it was a bruised knee ligament. While not the worst-case scenario, the timing of the injury could not have been more damaging for Manchester City. With United coming to the Etihad, Guardiola wanted his full attacking force available, but now his plans may have to change.
The Egyptian FA released a statement confirming the diagnosis, saying: “Dr. Mohamed Abu El-Ela, the doctor of the Egyptian national team, confirmed that Omar Marmoush’s injury in today’s match against Burkina Faso in the eighth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers was a bruised knee ligament. Marmoush left the match after being subjected to a violent tackle from one of the Burkina Faso players, and Osama Faisal participated in his place.” That statement quickly spread across social media and City fans reacted with panic and frustration. Some blamed the Burkina Faso defender for the reckless challenge, others blamed the international schedule that forces key players into risky matches just days before crucial club fixtures. The truth is, City will now have to assess Marmoush back in Manchester, but even if the injury is not too serious, his involvement against United is in big doubt.
This injury comes at a time when Manchester City are already under pressure. The champions have had a shaky start to the Premier League season, losing two of their opening three matches. Pep Guardiola, who is used to setting high standards, now finds himself in an unusual position, with questions being asked about his team’s consistency and hunger. Losing Marmoush now feels like another blow in a season that has not started smoothly. City fans wanted their big players ready to send a message in the derby, but fate has added another obstacle.
Meanwhile, across town, Manchester United are also in crisis. Their new manager Ruben Amorim has come under huge pressure after a poor start. United have collected just four points from their opening three games, and the performances have been far from convincing. Former Chelsea and Arsenal defender William Gallas has even warned that Amorim could be sacked before Christmas if results don’t improve. Gallas said that the Portuguese coach looks lost on the touchline, like someone trying to figure things out for the first time, and that his body language is sending the wrong message to both players and fans. Those comments will sting United supporters who had hoped Amorim could be the man to restore pride at Old Trafford. Now, going into the derby, Amorim faces what could be a defining moment in his short reign.
The timing of the derby makes everything more dramatic. Both teams are struggling for form. Both managers are under pressure. Both sets of fans are restless. And now, City have lost a key attacker to injury while United have a manager whose future is being openly questioned. This is the kind of storyline that makes the Manchester derby one of the most-watched matches in world football.
For Pep Guardiola, the injury to Marmoush is not just about losing a talented player, it’s about losing momentum. Marmoush has been in great form for both club and country, his pace and dribbling ability opening up defences and giving City a fresh edge in attack. His signing was seen as part of Guardiola’s plan to refresh the squad and bring in new energy after years of dominance. In recent games, he has shown that he can be a difference-maker, and that is why his absence against United could be so damaging. Guardiola will now have to look at alternatives. Will he push Phil Foden into a more central role? Will he trust Julian Alvarez to take on more responsibility? Or will he rely once again on Erling Haaland to carry the entire attacking burden? These are the tactical headaches that Pep must solve in just a few days.
The reaction in Egypt was equally dramatic. Their national team were just one win away from sealing qualification for the 2026 World Cup, but without Marmoush for most of the game, they were held to a goalless draw by Burkina Faso. What should have been a night of celebration turned into a night of frustration. Egyptian fans know how important Marmoush is, not just for City but for their own dreams of returning to the World Cup stage. The tackle that forced him off has now created a storm of anger among Egyptian supporters, many of whom have accused Burkina Faso of deliberately targeting their star.
Back in England, pundits and journalists are already debating how this injury could affect the derby. Some believe City still have enough firepower to beat United comfortably, while others argue that without Marmoush, City will lack the spark that can unlock a stubborn defence. The truth is, derbies are often decided by small details, by individual moments of brilliance, and Marmoush has been the kind of player who can provide those moments. His absence could tilt the balance slightly in United’s favour, even though they are struggling themselves.
For Ruben Amorim, this is a chance he cannot afford to waste. If United can go to the Etihad and get a result, even a draw, it will buy him some time and silence some critics. But if they lose badly, the pressure could become unbearable. Gallas’s words about him looking lost on the touchline have already gone viral, and United fans are beginning to wonder if they made another managerial mistake. The derby, therefore, feels like more than just three points. It feels like a battle for survival – for Amorim’s job and for City’s confidence.
The build-up to the game will now be dominated by injury updates, tactical debates, and questions about mentality. Can City bounce back from a poor start without one of their key attackers? Can United show character in one of the toughest stadiums in the world? Can Amorim prove his critics wrong? And will Guardiola once again find the magic formula to silence doubters?
When the teams walk out at the Etihad on Sunday, the atmosphere will be electric. The noise, the colours, the emotions – everything will be magnified by the struggles both clubs are facing. And somewhere in the stands, Omar Marmoush may be watching, frustrated that he cannot be on the pitch to make a difference. For him, the challenge now will be recovery, for Guardiola the challenge is to adapt, and for United the challenge is survival.
This is football at its most dramatic. Two giants, both wounded, both desperate, both with something to prove. An injury has added another twist, a pundit has added more pressure, and the derby has become even bigger than before. Whatever happens, this match will not just be about goals and results, it will be about pride, about identity, and about the future of both Manchester clubs.
