Ross Dyer and Janusz Michallik dissect Manchester City’s demolition of Huddersfield and say the fixtures are kind for another extended winning run.
MANCHESTER — Pep Guardiola has said Manchester City will not be signing an out-of-contract goalkeeper to cover the loss of Claudio Bravo.
Bravo had an operation on a ruptured Achilles tendon and, although no timescale has been put on his return, is expected to be out for around six months.
City recalled Montenegro under-21 international Aro Muric from a season-long loan at Dutch side NAC Breda as cover, and Guardiola said he was their only consideration with the transfer window closed and no possibility of an emergency loan singing.
“The surgery was good and we’ll see [when Bravo is back],” he told a news conference ahead of Saturday’s clash with Wolves.
Asked about the possibility of signing a free agent, he added: “No, from the beginning it was Aro, Aro. He was the option.
“We know him. Last season he trained with us all year. We loaned him because you know the second team isn’t a real competition and that’s why we want to see him every weekend play and play.
“Unfortunately with Claudio the first option was [for Muric] to come back because the window is closed. We have Aro and Grimshaw. They will be our three goalkeepers.”
Muric, 19, was City’s third choice keeper last season and will become the backup to first-choice Ederson, with Manchester-born youth player Daniel Grimshaw, 20, third choice.
Neither player has had any minutes with the first team, but Guardiola said he had faith in both despite their lack of experience.
“When we decided he [Grimshaw] would be third goalkeeper it’s because we trust in him,” he said. “But Aro was with us last season and we know him better, he knows the way we work, the way we want to play so we decide and they are going to be with us.
“Ederson is the first, Aro is the second, Grimmy is the third. Aro has an amazing potential as a goalkeeper.
“He came back because maybe he’ll play in the other competitions — the Carabao Cup or the FA Cup. We trust Aro, no doubts about that.”
City will also be without Kevin De Bruyne for the trip to Molineux after the Belgium international was ruled out for around three months with a knee ligament injury, while Guardiola said Fernandinho had a problem with his recuperation after Sunday’s win over Huddersfield.
Wolves caused City difficulties last season when they held them to a goalless draw in a Carabao Cup tie at the Etihad Stadium before the hosts won on penalties, and Guardiola is expecting a tough test.
“They destroyed the Championship last season,” he added. “They had an incredible season with the way they play, an attractive style. The basis is there.
“We knew from the beginning how tough it would be. We found that last season in the Carabao Cup when we went through on penalties.
“It’s another game to try to read, to be consistent, to be humble in terms of the effort and the way we want to play, respect the opponent and try to make a good game.”
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