Savinho Injury Update
Pep Guardiola confirmed Savinho's injury does not look good after Manchester City's 0-0 draw with Sunderland on January 1, 2026, at the Stadium of Light. The Brazilian winger, who started his first Premier League match since October, stretched awkwardly late in the first half while chasing a chance and had to be substituted early in the second half.
City fans watched in dismay as their medical team rushed on, but he limped off, heading straight down the tunnel. Guardiola's post-match words hit hard: "Savinho, it doesn’t look good, I would say." With tests pending as of Friday, January 2, 2026, the club awaits scans to determine the extent likely a muscle issue from that sprint.
City Report_ on X that Savinho’s injury does NOT look good, according to Pep Guardiola. Blunt words from the boss after the Sunderland draw, underscoring the worry as City awaits scans.
It's a gut punch for City, already juggling returns like Rodri and Jeremy Doku, now facing Chelsea in six days.
This setback overshadowed a gritty performance where City dominated but couldn't break Sunderland's stubborn defense. Guardiola praised the second half's intensity, noting missed chances in the six-yard box that could've sealed a win. Yet, injuries keep piling up Nathan Ake shook off an early knock, Nico Gonzalez exited at halftime, and now Savinho joins the worry list alongside John Stones. Four points behind Arsenal after the Gunners' win over Aston Villa, City can't afford long absences.
What Happened to Savinho?
Savinho went down midway through the first half against Sunderland on New Year's Day 2026, clutching his leg after a sharp turn and stretch at the end of a promising attack. He tried to shake it off, received treatment, but lasted only minutes into the second half before Jeremy Doku replaced him around the 50th minute. City_Xtra on X broke it 7 hours ago: Savinho's injury 'does not look good', says Pep Guardiola. Straight from the gaffer post-Sunderland, no sugarcoating the blow for City's attack.
Before the injury, the 20-year-old troubled Sunderland's backline with his pace and dribbling one of those direct runs that had fans buzzing. City pushed hard post-sub, with Rodri's halftime entry shifting the game, but the winger's exit disrupted rhythm.
Think back to City's last outing at Nottingham Forest Savinho benched, now starting and shining briefly. Sunderland, unbeaten at home in their first top-flight season since 2017, parked the bus effectively. Pep later vented frustration over "the amount of chances we missed in the six-yard box, not difficult ones." Savinho created two himself in the second half before pulling up.
It's reminiscent of those frantic City moments where momentum slips on small details, like a promising kid from Brazil getting sidelined just as he's hitting stride.
Savinho Stats
Savinho's numbers show promise cut short by this knock here's a quick, no-frills look at his 2025/26 season so far, pulling from Premier League and cup games up to January 1, 2026.
| Competition | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 12 | 2 |
| Champions League | 5 | 1 |
| FA Cup | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 19 | 3 |
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Dribbles completed: 2.4 per 90 tops City's wingers for directness.
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Chances created: 18 total, including those two screamers vs. Sunderland.
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First start since October 26; subbed off injured there too, funny how patterns bite.
These stats underline why Pep rates him electric pace, 65% dribble success rate. Before the injury, he was averaging 0.45 goal involvements per start. Compare to Doku's flash (similar dribbles but more output), and Savinho slots as City's wildcard. Last season's Girona loan? 9 goals, 10 assists in La Liga. City's €40m summer buy from Troyes looks savvy if he stays fit. That said, muscle tweaks linger watch for updates post-scans.
City's injury woes aren't new; Rodri's return yesterday changed everything, proving his "best in the world" tag. Pep gushed: "He broke the lines... we missed him a lot." Nico Gonzalez? "We'll see," says Guardiola another halftime exit after failing to shake an issue. With Ake holding defense despite his third-minute scare, resilience shines. Sunderland frustrated giants before, but City's nine-game unbeaten streak holds. Arsenal looms; this draw stings, yet Pep's pride in the "fantastic team" effort rings true. Scans today could swing January fingers crossed for good news amid the chaos.
Disclaimer: The information provided is based on official club updates, manager comments, and credible media reports available at the time of writing. Injury details, recovery timelines, and player availability are subject to change depending on medical assessments, training responses, and match-day decisions. This content is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or an official statement from Manchester City or the Premier League.
