Nathan Ake set to miss long-term due to injury

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says Netherlands defender Nathan Ake will be out for "a long time" due to injury.

In Manchester City's 3-1 victory over Plymouth in the FA Cup, Ake started the game but failed to return to the field after halftime and was replaced by Ruben Dias. After the game, Guardiola admitted that the team would "miss" Ake "very much", and was also glad that the club signed Vitor Reis and Abdulkadir Husanov in the winter window, otherwise the team's defense would face great challenges.

Guardiola told reporters: "Now, we have lost another central defender, and it will be a long-term absence. I think we will miss Nathan very much. The club has introduced Husanov and Vitor, and I am very grateful for this. Otherwise, we have almost no chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season and we can't compete for the FA Cup. It's too difficult! Otherwise, we can only rely on Ruben Dias alone."

Currently, Manchester City's central defense line has been hit by a large-scale injury crisis. In addition to Ake, John Stones and Manuel Akanji are both out due to injuries, and midfielder Rodri has also been absent for several months due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Ake's injury is undoubtedly another major blow to Manchester City's fight for the FA Cup and the Champions League qualification.

Manchester City hopes that the new players can adapt quickly and support the team's defense. Next Saturday, they will challenge Nottingham Forest away in the Premier League, and the team's defensive performance will become the focus of attention.