Belgium and Vincent Kompany experienced a blow in the fact that the defender will not be fit for the Red Devils World Cup qualifier against Estonia on Sunday.
The 30-year-old was due to start for his country against the Netherlands on Wednesday night. However, at the last minute, he was pulled out of the team. On the night Belgian boss Roberto Martinez said there was no injury, but later said he did not want to take any risks with the City star.
It seems the centre-back has now experienced yet another injury setback. Kompany has been hampered by injury for the past few seasons and has made just two Premier League appearances for Manchester City this season.
Kompany was once regarded as one of the best centre-backs in European football. He was the bedrock of the City defence that won two titles. However, his injury problems have prevented him being of much use to City boss Pep Guardiola this season.
Now in his thirties, he seems highly unlikely to ever get back to his top form. City have tried numerous times to sign dominant centre-backs, but a number of high-profile signings have flopped.
When Guardiola first arrived in Manchester there was speculation that the Catalan boss was set to sell Kompany. If the defender does not return to full fitness soon, that speculation may start to heat up. City can no longer depend on their captain to stay injury-free.
It is a sad state of affairs to see a once very good centre-back struggling to stay fit. Kompany’s days at the top level of football may yet be finished. However, if he carries on in a similar vein, then question marks about his future at both club and international level will have to be asked.