Aymeric Laporte injury leaves Manchester City with a defensive CRISIS

Manchester City cannot say they weren’t warned. The first half of a snoozy friendly in Hong Kong was suddenly punctuated by a problem with Aymeric Laporte. He writhed in agony after a heavy blow, his reaction prompting a collective intake of breath.

Nicolas Otamendi had not yet returned from the Copa America. The only option on the bench was 17-year-old Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

Laporte ended up being fine – nothing more than a bump – but those tense few moments highlighted City’s precarious central defensive situation.

Laporte suffered what appeared to be a serious knee injury in the 4-0 win over Brighton

Those fears were realised against Brighton, 37 minutes into another procession and on a day that Pep Guardiola’s champions took their goal tally to 14 in four matches. Laporte was again writhing on the floor but this time it was altogether more serious.

The knee injury he sustained when clattering Adam Webster looks problematic, with Guardiola worried someone he described as the ‘best left-sided defender in the world’ is now facing months out. Laporte went to hospital after leaving the pitch on a stretcher and the extent of the damage will soon become clear.

Otamendi and John Stones are the only two senior centre halves left. Fernandinho, who replaced Laporte, plays there, too, although the Brazilian first started learning his new position just a fortnight ago. ‘The key is to understand the concept of the way we have to play,’ Fernandinho said. ‘The movements and the pace we use in games.’

One of Guardiola’s first declarations when taking the reins in 2016 was that Fernandinho could play in every position bar goalkeeper. We are about to find out whether that stands up.

‘He needs help with some processes, especially defensively, but he is intelligent,’ Guardiola said. ‘We will see. We cannot work on it now because it is the international break. But we are going to work on it.’

This could all have been avoided, of course, and not replacing Vincent Kompany was a source of regret even before Laporte was carried off.

Pep Guardiola should have prioritised the centre-back position in the summer transfer window

Senior City sources believe Harry Maguire would have preferred a move to the Etihad over Old Trafford, but the club refused to pay the £80million Leicester City demanded and so he is with Manchester United.

‘We cannot afford it like other teams,’ Guardiola said. ‘We’ve paid a lot of money for a lot of players – that is why we have a deep squad with a lot of quality. But you have a limit.

‘The club told me there’s a limit and we can’t go for it right now.’

Joao Cancelo, awaiting a full debut, cost £60m from Juventus and you wonder why prioritise a right back when investment was required elsewhere? The answer is Danilo was desperate to leave for first-team football in Turin, City recouping £34m for him.

City are left teetering defensively and that could well have an impact on their season. Eric Garcia, the 18-year-old Spanish defender, can expect more involvement – particularly in the cups.

Garcia is a favourite of Guardiola. Sources say the teenager carries himself like a seasoned professional, not afraid to bark orders as he earns the respect of his peers.

John Stones is expected to return on September 14 and faces a huge nine months ahead

Yet Guardiola is understood to hold reservations about challenging on all four fronts without four senior centre halves. It will be interesting to see how he treats the Carabao and FA Cups.

The forgotten man in all of this is Stones. Guardiola expects him back for Norwich away on September 14 after a thigh injury and the nine months ahead are huge for him. Stones needs to rediscover some form and has started just four games since February.

Moreover, the split from his childhood sweetheart and the mother of his child has been difficult for him. Guardiola is mindful of the personal problems and City will offer any support the England man requires.

That element took on more importance when Laporte left the field. Stones must now answer the call.