Manchester City supporters have reacted strongly to the latest injury update ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby against Manchester United.
Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Nico O’Reilly is “100% available” for the trip to Old Trafford. However, the Manchester City head coach also revealed that Jeremy Doku needs more time before returning to action.
BREAKING: Nico O’Reilly is “100% available” for Manchester United (A) while Jeremy Doku “needs some more days”, says Enzo Maresca.
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) September 11, 2026
The update immediately produced a mixture of excitement, relief and concern among City supporters.
While O’Reilly’s return gives Maresca another important option, Doku’s continued absence means City will have to find another solution on the left side of the attack.
For some supporters, however, the message was simple.
They want Doku back as soon as possible.
“Need Doku back” – City fans make their feelings clear
One of the clearest reactions came from Antony, who simply wrote:
“Need Doku back.”
It was a short message, but it captured a feeling shared by several supporters.
Doku has become an important attacking outlet for Manchester City because of his ability to beat defenders, carry the ball forward and create situations from seemingly difficult positions.
His absence has therefore forced Maresca to consider different attacking combinations.
The Belgian winger has been recovering from a calf problem and will now miss the Manchester derby. Maresca’s latest comments suggest the club is taking a cautious approach rather than rushing him back.
That appears to be frustrating for some supporters, especially with one of the biggest matches of the season approaching.
Yet another fan, Dax, offered a different perspective.
“Save Doku for PSG.”
That reaction shows that not every supporter is desperate to see Doku rushed back into the team.
For them, the bigger picture matters.
Manchester City have a long season ahead, with Premier League matches, Champions League fixtures and domestic cup competitions all demanding squad depth. Bringing Doku back too early could potentially create another setback.
Saving him for a future Champions League fixture may therefore be a sensible approach.
O’Reilly’s return is just as important
While Doku dominated some of the reactions, supporters were also excited about O’Reilly being available.
One fan, Rodristhegoat, responded:
“Need orielly in there.”
That reaction is particularly interesting because O’Reilly offers Maresca more than one tactical possibility.
The youngster can operate at left-back but has also demonstrated his ability to contribute in midfield. That flexibility could prove extremely valuable in a derby where tactical adjustments may decide the outcome.
O’Reilly missed City’s recent matches after suffering a back issue, making his return particularly timely.
His availability gives Maresca another option when deciding how to balance the team.
The question now is whether the manager immediately brings him back into the starting XI or manages his minutes after his recent absence.
For supporters, though, simply knowing that O’Reilly is fit is a major positive.
Semenyo on the left?
One of the biggest tactical talking points among the reactions was the possibility of Antoine Semenyo continuing on the left.
Rolland expressed his view with a simple:
“Left wing semenyo again”
The comment came alongside a GIF, highlighting the uncertainty around City’s attacking setup.
With Doku unavailable, Maresca has several options.
Semenyo can be used on the left, while Iliman Ndiaye provides another possibility. The manager could also make other changes depending on how he wants City to approach the derby.
Semenyo’s versatility could therefore become extremely important.
However, the reaction also suggests that some fans are already thinking about what the team could look like once Doku returns.
City’s attacking options have changed significantly during the summer, and Maresca is still working out the best combinations.
The Manchester derby could provide another major indication of his tactical thinking.
“Doku every season” – frustration among supporters
Not everyone reacted calmly to the injury news.
MT🩵 wrote:
“Doku every season 🤦🏾♂️”
The frustration is understandable.
Doku has dealt with fitness issues during his time at Manchester City, and another spell on the sidelines naturally creates concern among supporters.
For a player whose greatest strengths depend heavily on explosiveness and acceleration, maintaining fitness is particularly important.
City fans know what Doku can provide when he is fully fit.
His ability to attack defenders directly can change the rhythm of a match. Instead of constantly relying on patient possession, City can use him to create immediate danger.
That is precisely why his absence is being noticed.
The reaction from supporters is not necessarily a criticism of Doku himself. Instead, it reflects the frustration of seeing an exciting player unavailable when the biggest fixtures arrive.
“Loan Doku” – another supporter takes a different view
One particularly surprising reaction came from Vvoid___:
“Loan Doku”
The comment is clearly more extreme than most of the other reactions, but it demonstrates the different opinions surrounding the winger.
There is an obvious divide between supporters who see Doku as an important part of City’s future and those who remain unconvinced about his consistency and availability.
A loan move would be a dramatic decision, especially considering Doku’s qualities and his importance to City’s attacking depth.
However, fan reactions on social media often reflect immediate frustration rather than a long-term transfer strategy.
The wider reaction appears to be much more focused on getting Doku fit and seeing how Maresca uses him once he returns.
“Sunday go hotttt ooo”
The excitement surrounding the derby was also evident in another reaction.
Unknown_Neduuu simply wrote:
“Sunday go hotttt ooo 😂😂”
That perhaps best captures the mood among City supporters.
The injury discussion is important, but ultimately the reason everyone is talking about O’Reilly and Doku is because Manchester City are heading into one of the biggest games on the domestic calendar.
This will also be Maresca’s first Manchester derby as City’s head coach following his appointment in June.
The new City boss has already overseen a positive start to the campaign, and supporters will be hoping that continues at Old Trafford.
“Get innnnnn” – optimism despite Doku absence
Another supporter, ኤልYas, responded:
“Get innnnnn 💪”
That reaction reflects the optimism generated by O’Reilly’s availability.
Despite Doku remaining unavailable, City still have plenty of attacking and midfield options.
More importantly, the squad appears to have enough depth for Maresca to make adjustments without relying on a single player.
O’Reilly’s return adds another layer to that flexibility.
Whether he starts at left-back, moves into midfield or provides an option from the bench, his availability gives Maresca something he did not have in recent matches.
City fans may have to wait for Doku
The overall reaction from Manchester City supporters is therefore mixed.
There is genuine excitement about O’Reilly returning, but Doku’s absence remains a concern for fans who want City’s most explosive attacking options available.
The most sensible approach may be patience.
Maresca’s comments suggest that Doku is progressing but is not ready yet. Rushing him into a Manchester derby could carry unnecessary risks.
The comments “Save Doku for PSG” and “Need Doku back” perfectly represent the two sides of the debate.
One group wants the winger back immediately.
Another understands that there is a much longer season ahead.
For now, O’Reilly’s return is the positive headline.
The England international is fully available, giving Maresca another important tactical option for the first Manchester derby of his City reign.
Doku, meanwhile, will have to watch from the sidelines.
For City fans, that may be frustrating, but the priority is clear: get the winger fully fit and ready for the matches that follow.
And with the Manchester derby approaching, supporters have already made one thing obvious.
They are ready for Sunday.
