Manchester City is set to be without their Belgium midfielder, Kevin de Bruyne, for their upcoming Premier League match against Newcastle United on Saturday. De Bruyne has been sidelined since missing the draw with Arsenal, and it is uncertain if he will return to action until after the international break in October. Additionally, City will face Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League and Fulham in the Premier League before the mid-October internationals.

The absence of De Bruyne adds to City's injury concerns, with midfielder Rodri sustaining an ACL injury that will keep him out for the season. Rodri, who recently returned after a hamstring injury suffered during Spain's Euro 2024 final win against England, faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines, impacting City's midfield options.

Since joining City from Atletico Madrid in 2019, Rodri has been a key figure in the squad, with the team losing just 11% of matches in which he has featured, compared to 24% without the Spaniard. Rodri's influence extends beyond the pitch, as he was voted the player of the tournament during Spain's Euro 2024 triumph and is a strong contender for the upcoming Ballon d'Or award.

With Rodri out, City manager Pep Guardiola faces a midfield dilemma. Options to replace the influential midfielder include the likes of Kalvin Phillips, Mateo Kovacic, John Stones, Ilkay Gundogan, and Bernardo Silva. The absence of Rodri calls for tactical adjustments from Guardiola, with potential changes in formations and player roles in the upcoming fixtures.

While City navigates through the challenges posed by injuries, fans and pundits alike have expressed mixed reactions on social media. Some have sympathized with Rodri's injury and wished him a speedy recovery, acknowledging his contributions both on and off the pitch. Others have raised criticisms and speculations, pointing out the implications of Rodri's absence on City's performance and the managerial decisions made in light of the injury setbacks.

As City prepares to face Newcastle United without De Bruyne and the sidelined Rodri, Guardiola and his team will look to maintain their form and secure crucial points in the Premier League and Champions League competitions amidst the ongoing challenges on the injury front. The upcoming matches will test City's depth and resilience as they strive to cope with the absence of key players in their pursuit of silverware this season.