Manchester City’s rivals will reach for the world’s smallest violin if Guardiola mentions injuries, given their vast financial and playing resources, but he is well within his rights to lament the loss of Rodri, his most important player, for the season.
Kevin de Bruyne, Ruben Dias, Jack Grealish, Jeremy Doku, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji have all missed games too.
And Guardiola’s own future is yet to be decided as his contract expires next June. Director of football Txiki Begiristain, a close friend going back to their Barcelona days, is going at the end of the season.
When Guardiola has extended his City contract on the previous two occasions, the club has announced that in November 2020 and November 2022. He is yet to give any hint about his decision, with reports of approaches from Brazil and also England before the FA appointed Thomas Tuchel.
If City were winning, there would be a serenity as events moved behind the scenes. Instead, this will become more of an issue unless they pull out of this slump.
And could it be, at long last, that City’s squad needs new names and fresh hunger after winning the Champions League, six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, the Uefa Super Cup and the Fifa Club World Cup under Guardiola?
The manager looked hungry enough on the touchline, an energetic presence throughout. He will not accept anything less from his players.
If any manager or team can provide the answer to the questions facing them, Guardiola and Manchester City can.
They will need to stop the decline swiftly, however. Liverpool and Arsenal will be scenting weaknesses.
