Manchester City supporters have delivered a passionate and divided reaction to reports surrounding Tijjani Reijnders’ future at the club, with some fans sympathising with the midfielder while others believe he needed to do more to earn regular minutes.
Reijnders joined Manchester City with significant expectations, but his first season did not develop as many supporters had hoped.
According to the report, the midfielder was left unused from the bench in nine of City’s 14 league matches and started only twice between the beginning of February and the end of the 2025/26 campaign.
Sources close to Reijnders indicate that he felt there was not enough faith shown in him and had begun considering an exit.
That revelation has now triggered a major discussion among City supporters.
Some believe the Dutch international deserves more opportunities. Others have questioned aspects of his performances and argued that he must improve if he wants to become a regular at the Etihad.
“He deserves to play”
One of the clearest reactions came from a supporter who wrote:
“He deserves to play.”
That comment received significant engagement and reflects a feeling shared by many fans.
Reijnders did not arrive at Manchester City without a reputation.
He had established himself as an important midfielder before making the move and was expected to compete for a major role in the squad.
Yet regular starts became increasingly difficult to secure.
For supporters who sympathise with the player, that lack of opportunity is difficult to understand.
A midfielder cannot always demonstrate his full ability through occasional substitute appearances.
Regular football provides rhythm, confidence and familiarity with teammates.
Without those things, even talented players can struggle to establish themselves.
Fans understand why Reijnders could consider leaving
Another supporter offered a more pragmatic assessment:
“If you’re barely getting minutes, it’s natural to start thinking about an exit.”
That reaction arguably captures the central issue.
Reijnders reportedly felt that there was little faith being shown in him.
If a player believes he is not part of the manager’s plans, considering a transfer can be a logical career decision.
The situation becomes even more understandable when considering the midfielder’s age and ambitions.
Reijnders is not at Manchester City simply to sit on the bench.
He wants to play.
He wants to compete at the highest level.
And he wants to feel important to his team.
“So sad man”
Some supporters responded emotionally to the situation.
One wrote:
“So sad man.”
Another said:
“Feel bad for him.”
Those comments demonstrate that the story has struck a sympathetic chord among part of the fanbase.
The Athletic report also notes that Reijnders and his wife had settled well in Manchester and had made friends within the squad.
That detail makes the possibility of an exit more complicated.
It suggests that the problem was not necessarily life away from football.
Instead, the main concern was reportedly the midfielder’s role on the pitch.
That distinction is important.
A player can enjoy living in a city, develop strong relationships with teammates and still consider leaving because he is not playing enough.
But some fans blame Reijnders
The reaction was not entirely sympathetic.
One supporter argued that Reijnders needed to be stronger in duels if he wanted to establish himself in the team.
Another simply labelled him a “lazy player.”
These comments represent the other side of the debate.
Manchester City supporters have extremely high expectations.
Playing for the club requires more than technical quality.
Players are expected to compete intensely, work without the ball and demonstrate consistency.
Some fans therefore believe Reijnders cannot blame the lack of opportunities entirely on the manager.
If he wants to become a regular starter, they argue, he must prove that he deserves the position.
The 47-match argument
One particularly interesting reaction came from a supporter who pointed out:
“Guy played 47 matches for City.”
That comment challenges the idea that Reijnders was completely ignored.
Even though his league starts became limited during the latter part of the season, he still accumulated significant appearances across competitions.
This is an important part of the discussion.
There is a difference between being completely excluded from a squad and failing to become an automatic starter.
Reijnders did receive opportunities.
The debate is about whether he received enough meaningful opportunities to establish himself.
A new manager changes everything
Perhaps the most intriguing fan reaction came from the supporter who wrote:
“This makes no sense. New manager, clean slate.”
That is a major consideration.
Enzo Maresca succeeded Pep Guardiola as Manchester City’s head coach in June 2026.
Therefore, Reijnders’ situation should not necessarily be viewed through the same lens as last season.
Whatever happened under Guardiola does not automatically determine what will happen under Maresca.
The new head coach has his own tactical preferences.
He will assess the entire squad.
He will decide which midfielders fit his system.
That gives Reijnders an opportunity to reset his Manchester City career.
Could Maresca revive Reijnders?
This may be the biggest question following the latest reports.
Reijnders could potentially benefit from a new manager.
A change in coaching staff often gives players a fresh opportunity.
Previous decisions are effectively wiped away.
Every player begins competing again for his position.
That should give Reijnders reason to remain patient.
If Maresca sees qualities in the midfielder that his predecessor did not prioritise, his role could change dramatically.
A player who struggled for starts last season could become a key part of the new system.
That is why the suggestion that Reijnders could leave immediately has surprised some City fans.
Supporters question the transfer strategy
Not all of the criticism has been directed at Reijnders.
One supporter wrote:
“Vaina’s record is seriously dodgy.”
The comment appears to question Hugo Viana’s recruitment record.
Viana has played an important role in Manchester City’s post-Guardiola squad-building strategy, and the Reijnders situation has naturally raised questions about how some signings are being integrated.
When an expensive or high-profile player struggles to establish himself, supporters inevitably ask whether the recruitment process identified the right profile.
However, one difficult season should not automatically determine whether a signing was a mistake.
Footballers sometimes require time to adapt.
“City ruined his career”
Another supporter went even further, claiming:
“City ruined his career.”
That is a dramatic assessment, but it shows the strength of emotion surrounding the story.
It would be unfair to conclude that Manchester City have ruined Reijnders’ career.
He remains a highly experienced international midfielder.
However, the comment reflects a concern about what prolonged periods on the bench can do to a player’s development and confidence.
At elite clubs, competition for places is intense.
A player can be talented and still struggle to secure regular football.
The “sources close to” debate
Some supporters were also sceptical about the reporting itself.
One reaction simply highlighted the phrase:
“sources close to…”
That reflects the natural caution that surrounds reports based on anonymous sources.
The Athletic’s report says sources close to Reijnders believe he felt there was little faith shown in him.
However, supporters only see part of the picture.
The midfielder himself has not necessarily publicly confirmed every detail attributed to sources close to him.
Therefore, the situation should be treated with some caution.
The facts about his playing time can be assessed.
His private feelings are more difficult to establish independently.
Should Reijnders stay?
From Manchester City’s perspective, keeping Reijnders could make sense.
The club is entering a new era under Maresca.
The midfielder has already experienced the demands of English football.
He knows his teammates.
He has adapted to Manchester.
And, importantly, he now has an opportunity to impress a new manager.
Selling him before seeing how he fits into Maresca’s system could be premature.
For Reijnders, however, the decision may depend on what the new manager tells him.
If Maresca guarantees a meaningful role, staying could be attractive.
If the midfielder again finds himself struggling for minutes, an exit could become much more logical.
City fans are split
The reactions to the City Xtra post show just how divided Manchester City supporters are.
One group believes Reijnders deserves more opportunities.
Another believes he needs to improve his intensity and performances.
A third group simply wants to understand why a player who reportedly settled well at the club would consider leaving after only one season.
The most encouraging factor for Reijnders may be the arrival of Maresca.
The new manager provides a genuine clean slate.
Reijnders has one major opportunity
For Tijjani Reijnders, the situation is far from over.
The midfielder now has an opportunity to change the narrative.
Instead of being remembered as a player who struggled to establish himself under Guardiola, he could become an important part of Maresca’s Manchester City.
That will depend on his performances.
It will depend on the manager’s tactical plans.
And it will depend on whether both sides believe the relationship can work.
For now, the fan reaction suggests there is still plenty of support for the Dutch midfielder.
“He deserves to play” is perhaps the most important message.
Manchester City supporters may disagree about whether Reijnders has done enough.
But many clearly believe he deserves another opportunity.
With a new manager, a new season and a fresh tactical approach, that opportunity could be closer than it appears.
The 2026/27 campaign may ultimately determine whether Reijnders stays at Manchester City or begins looking seriously for another challenge.
For now, though, the door to a Manchester City revival remains firmly open.
