Manchester City supporters have reacted with a mixture of excitement and caution after Enzo Maresca provided an encouraging update on Jeremy Doku.
The Belgian winger has been absent during the opening part of the season, leaving City without one of their most dangerous attacking players. However, Maresca has now confirmed that Doku is back, although the new Manchester City head coach stopped short of confirming whether he will be available against Manchester United.
“He is back. I don’t know if he can be available for the weekend [vs Manchester United], but slowly, slowly he is back,” said Maresca.
That uncertainty has not stopped supporters from dreaming about seeing the winger back on the pitch.
The reaction to the latest update has been overwhelmingly positive, with several fans making it clear that they want Doku available as quickly as possible.
At the same time, others have urged Manchester City to avoid taking unnecessary risks with his fitness.
‘He’s back!’ – City fans celebrate Doku update
The biggest reaction from Manchester City supporters was one of relief.
After hearing Maresca say that Doku is back, one supporter simply responded:
“He’s back!”
That short reaction captured the excitement among fans who have been waiting to see the winger return.
Another supporter said:
“Can’t wait to see him the pitch 💪💙”
The anticipation is understandable.
Doku has become an important attacking option for Manchester City because of his pace, direct running and ability to take defenders on.
His absence has meant that Maresca has had to work with other attacking combinations during the early part of his reign.
Having Doku back therefore gives the manager another option as City prepare for a demanding period.
Fans desperate for Doku to face Manchester United
The possibility of Doku returning for the Manchester derby was one of the main themes in the reactions.
One supporter pleaded:
“He should available against Man U please 🙏 😭”
Another fan was even more emphatic, writing:
“We need Him hes our best wingers.”
The comments show how highly supporters rate the Belgian.
The Manchester derby is the kind of fixture where a player with Doku’s qualities could make a significant difference.
Manchester United will know that allowing him space to attack could cause problems. His ability to accelerate past defenders and create situations from wide areas gives City a weapon that opponents have to account for.
For that reason, his possible return has generated plenty of excitement.
City supporters understand the need for patience
Despite the desire to see Doku immediately return, not every supporter is demanding that he starts the derby.
Some fans understand that a player coming back from an injury needs to be managed carefully.
One supporter said:
“Even if he is back, let him rest well.”
That is a sensible position.
Maresca’s comments suggested that Doku is progressing gradually rather than being guaranteed to play immediately.
The manager said that the winger is back but added that he did not know whether Doku could be available for the weekend, stressing that his recovery is happening “slowly, slowly.”
That means City supporters may have to wait a little longer before seeing Doku in competitive action.
For many fans, however, that is acceptable if it means ensuring the winger is fully recovered.
‘Slowly but surely’ – fans remain hopeful
Another supporter perfectly reflected the mood by writing:
“Slowly but surely—hopefully Doku makes the squad.”
There is a clear sense of optimism without complete certainty.
Fans know that Doku being back does not necessarily mean he will immediately return to the starting XI.
He could be included in the squad, used from the bench or given additional time to build up his fitness.
That may ultimately be the most sensible approach.
Manchester City have a long season ahead, and Maresca will not want to risk losing one of his key attacking players again by rushing him back.
One fan suggests waiting until Norwich
Interestingly, one supporter even suggested that Doku should wait until a later fixture.
“Let him start from the Norwich game,” the fan wrote.
That reaction demonstrates the different views within the City fanbase.
Some supporters desperately want Doku against Manchester United.
Others would rather see him fully recovered and avoid any possibility of another setback.
There is logic to both positions.
The Manchester derby is a major fixture, but Doku’s long-term availability could ultimately be more important than whether he plays one particular game.
If the medical team and coaching staff believe he needs more time, supporters will expect Maresca to take the cautious option.
Doku viewed as one of City’s best wingers
The reaction also highlighted Doku’s status within the squad.
One supporter described him as “our best wingers”, underlining how important he has become in the eyes of the fanbase.
That belief has developed because of the unique qualities Doku brings.
The Belgian is not simply another wide player.
He can receive the ball and immediately attack his marker. His acceleration can force defenders to retreat, while his dribbling ability can create openings even when Manchester City face a compact defence.
Those qualities make him particularly useful when City need to change the tempo of a match.
Maresca will therefore be delighted to have Doku moving closer to a return.
Confidence remains high under Maresca
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the reaction is that Doku’s injury situation has done little to reduce the confidence among City supporters.
One fan reiterated an extremely ambitious prediction about Manchester City’s season, claiming:
“I have never felt so confident of my Manchester City side not even with Pep as our gaffer!”
The supporter even predicted that City could go unbeaten in all competitions.
It is obviously an enormous expectation, but it shows the optimism surrounding Maresca’s Manchester City team.
The club has entered a new era following Guardiola’s departure in June 2026, yet some supporters already believe the team can compete for everything.
A fully fit Doku would only strengthen that belief.
Maresca faces an important decision
The latest Doku update puts Maresca in an interesting position.
The manager now knows that his winger is back, but he does not yet know whether the player will be ready for the Manchester derby.
That decision will likely depend on Doku’s physical condition over the coming days.
If he proves his fitness, Maresca will have a major attacking decision to make.
If he does not, City will have to continue without him.
The positive news is that Doku’s return is now closer.
Even supporters who do not want him rushed back can take encouragement from the fact that he has returned to the group.
Manchester City fans have a clear message
The overall reaction from Manchester City supporters is easy to understand.
They want Doku back.
They want him available for the biggest matches.
And they are clearly excited by the possibility of seeing him face Manchester United.
At the same time, there is a strong appreciation that the club should not take unnecessary risks.
The messages of “He’s back!”, “We need him” and “hopefully Doku makes the squad” show the excitement surrounding his return.
Meanwhile, calls to “let him rest well” demonstrate that supporters are also thinking about the bigger picture.
For Maresca, that is a positive situation to have.
His squad is gradually getting stronger, and Doku is moving closer to a return at an important point in the season.
Whether he makes the Manchester derby squad remains unclear.
But after weeks of uncertainty, Manchester City supporters finally have something positive to celebrate.
Jeremy Doku is back.
Now, everyone at City will be hoping that the final step of his recovery goes exactly as planned.
