Omar Marmoush is set to miss the Manchester derby due to a knee injury sustained while playing for Egypt. This is a blow for Manchester City, who have had a shaky start to the season. Marmoush has been a key player, and his absence will challenge Pep Guardiola’s lineup.
Manchester City's in-form striker, Omar Marmoush, is expected to be sidelined for Sunday’s highly anticipated Manchester derby after sustaining a knee injury while on international duty with Egypt. The news comes as a significant blow to Pep Guardiola’s side, who are looking to bounce back from a shaky start to the Premier League season.
Marmoush, who has quickly become a key figure in City’s attack, suffered the injury during Egypt’s World Cup qualifying match against Burkina Faso on Tuesday. The incident occurred just four minutes into the game when Marmoush went down clutching his knee. Despite receiving initial treatment on the pitch, he attempted to continue playing but was eventually substituted in the ninth minute, visibly in discomfort.
Initial scans conducted in Egypt have indicated that Marmoush will likely be unavailable for the Manchester derby. However, the full extent of the injury remains unclear, and the player is scheduled to undergo further medical assessments upon his return to Manchester to determine the severity and expected recovery time. City’s medical staff will be keen to make a thorough evaluation to ensure the best possible course of treatment for the young forward.
The club confirmed the injury via their official Twitter account, stating: “Injury update: Omar Marmoush.” This brief announcement has left fans anxious about the duration of his absence and its potential impact on the team’s performance in the coming weeks. The Manchester derby is always a crucial fixture, and missing a player of Marmoush’s caliber will undoubtedly present a challenge for Guardiola.
Injury update: Omar Marmoush
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 10, 2025
Marmoush joined Manchester City in January for a reported fee of £59 million (€68 million) from Eintracht Frankfurt. Since his arrival, he has made a significant impact, quickly establishing himself as a valuable asset to the team. In his 19 Premier League appearances for the club, he has contributed eight goal involvements, scoring seven goals and providing one assist. His pace, dribbling skills, and clinical finishing have made him a constant threat to opposing defenses.
This season, Marmoush has featured in all three of City’s matches, starting two of them. His versatility and ability to play in multiple attacking positions have made him an integral part of Guardiola’s tactical plans. His absence will force the manager to reshuffle his attacking lineup and explore alternative options. The likes of Jack Grealish, Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez will now have to step up.
Manchester City's start to the Premier League season has been less than ideal, with the team losing two of their first three matches. This marks the first time since the 2004-05 campaign that City have suffered such a poor opening to the season. Furthermore, the three points collected so far represent the fewest ever accumulated by Pep Guardiola in his first three league games of a season. The team is under pressure to turn things around quickly and get their campaign back on track. The Manchester derby presents an opportunity to do just that, but without Marmoush, the task becomes significantly more challenging.
The derby against Manchester United is not just a local rivalry but also a crucial game in the context of the Premier League title race. City will be eager to assert their dominance and send a message to their rivals. However, without a key player like Marmoush, their attacking options are somewhat diminished. Guardiola will need to rely on his other attacking talents to fill the void and ensure that the team maintains its attacking threat.
As Marmoush begins his recovery, Manchester City will hope that his absence is not prolonged. His contributions on the field have been invaluable, and his return will be eagerly anticipated by fans and teammates alike. In the meantime, the team must focus on the upcoming challenges and find ways to overcome the setback caused by his injury.