City sweating over Nastasic injury

MANCHESTER City are waiting to learn the full extent of defender Matija Nastasic’s ankle injury.

There are fears the Serbian centre–back could miss the start of the season after being carried off on a stretcher during the Barclays Asia Trophy clash against Sunderland in Hong Kong at the weekend.

The 20 year old, who impressed after joining the club from Fiorentina last summer, has not travelled with the squad for this week’s Audi Cup tournament in Munich.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini said: “We will have to wait to find out how serious the injury is. We don’t know whether he needs an operation or if there is another solution.”

With Kolo Toure having left for Liverpool, Nastasic’s injury could allow Joleon Lescott the chance to reform his successful defensive link from the 2012 title–winning season with Vincent Kompany.



Manchester United group managing director Richard Arnold believes this summer’s handover of power at Old Trafford underlines the Red Devils’ inherent stability.

Not only has Sir Alex Ferguson left his position after 26 years, chief executive David Gill has stood aside as well, 11 years after succeeding Peter Kenyon and in neither case was there a power vacuum.

Arnold and executive vice–chairman Ed Woodward have divided Gill’s responsibilities between them.

And a day after Ferguson’s exit was confirmed, David Moyes was installed in his place.

“To go through the succession we have been through represents a big change,” Arnold said.

“The way the transition was achieved characterises how well the club has been run by David and Sir Alex.”