The 23-year-old Germany international damaged the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee in City’s Community Shield victory over Liverpool last Sunday, and will undergo surgery next week. “It is incredibly bad news. I don’t know how long he’ll be out. Normally this kind of injury is six or seven months - hopefully February or March,” Guardiola told reporters.

“In three seasons, we’ve had three (knee ligament injuries). He’s young and he’ll recover well hopefully. All the people will help him. He will feel alone, but we help him to feel as comfortable as possible.”

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