Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has admitted they are in some trouble with a growing injury list. The Cityzens registered a 3-1 Champions League victory over Red Star Belgrade at the Etihad Stadium to begin their title defense in style on Tuesday night.

Argentina’s Julian Alvarez scored a brace for the home team whereas Rodri scored in the 73rd minute. However, Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva was added to the increasing injury list of Manchester City. Silva joins injured players like Kevin de Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Mateo Kovacic, and John Stones on the sidelines.

Furthermore, earlier in the summer, City sold Riyad Mahrez, Cole Palmer and Aymeric Laporte, whereas skipper Ilkay Gundogan made a move to Barcelona.

“We are in trouble but I am not going to say ‘oh, we have a lot of injuries’. It is what it is,” said Guardiola

“With the players we have, we will go for it. As long as we have that mentality, that is good

“We have five really important players injured and to sustain that for a long time would be difficult.”

City spent more than £200m on new players in the off-season. They brought Matheus Nunes from Wolves for £53m and the Spaniard said they need to keep a check on their spendings.

“We can’t have, with the salaries and the budgets for the transfers, 55 players,” added Guardiola. “It would be chaos for the clubs. They would go bankrupt.

“Unfortunately it is a long time for Kevin. John didn’t play, it’s a little bit long. Maybe Kova is coming back. Jack maybe in a week or 10 days, but after he needs his condition.”

Manchester City will next take on Nottm Forest in the Premier League on Saturday.