Manchester City are up against Burnley tomorrow and there is plenty to talk about in regards to that fixture, as well as some additional updates in other areas.
Here are the top stories about the Sky Blues from the day so far:
Pep Guardiola delivers team news ahead of Burnley clash
John Stones made the bench against Arsenal but did not feature in the 2-1 win on Sunday. This obviously hinted at the player’s return, offering City more options in the back four.
Things for Ruben Dias and Rodri, however, do not look good. Dias hasn’t recovered yet and won’t return against Burnley, while Rodri isn’t expected to return tomorrow either.
"I think he [Rodri} will not be ready for tomorrow" ❌
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 21, 2026
Pep Guardiola does not expect Rodri to be fit to face Burnley and confirms Ruben Dias remains out with injury. pic.twitter.com/DAJh6rOQ2F
“I think for tomorrow, he [Rodri] will not be ready. And we’ll see in the next games: the semi-final against Southampton, or in 12, 13 days against Everton,” Guardiola told the press.
On Stones, he said: “The only [thing] I can say is that he’s back [from injury]. After two, three weeks or one month, he’s training with us, and this is the best news.”
The Sky Blues manager was asked about Stones’ future at the club, but the Catalan only responded with an injury update. At the end of the interview, Guradiola also confirmed that Dias will not be available tomorrow.
Vitor Reis wants to play for Man City next season
Reis’ is developing well at Girona and he believes he is ready to challenge at Man City next season, despite Pep Guardiola having a wealth of defensive options.
The 20-year-old has even revealed his shock at being loaned out last summer, although he now believes this was the right move for his career.
“My intention, my desire, is to return to Manchester City, to play and have space. But, as I always say, I will focus on the day-to-day, on this end of the season, so that when the moment for that conversation comes, we can sit down calmly, with a clear mind,” Reis told Globo Esporte.
“When I found out they were thinking about loaning me, I was a bit shocked, because it wasn’t something that crossed my mind.
“But after I understood it better and spoke to several people, I realised it would be good for me, especially for minutes, for playing more games. At my age, I need to play,” he continued.
“So I think it was a very important decision, 100% correct, to come here. Here at Girona I am very happy. The people are incredible, and I believe it was a very good choice.”
Paul Scholes impressed by Bernardo Silva
Gary Neville drew comparisons between Silva and Paul Scholes after Man City’s win over Arsenal, and now Scholes himself has weighed in on the Portuguese maestro.
The retired midfielder is amazed by Silva as despite his lack of height, he manages to control matches.
🗣️ "You look at him and think… 'How can you play in the Premier League?!'" 🤯
— The Good, The Bad & The Football (@goodbadftblpod) April 21, 2026
Bernardo Silva. What a player. pic.twitter.com/20gO9vIWmS
Scholes told The Good, the Bad and the Football: “Talking about big game players, I think he’s done it for years and years now and yesterday [Sunday], again, taking a game by the scruff of the neck.
“You look at him and you think, ‘how can you play in the Premier League’? He’s probably about nine stone, he’s tiny. But what he does, he controls games, it’s just brilliant.
“In big teams like that, you need the ultimate team players. What he does for that team is incredible.”
Man City will play Inter Milan in Hong Kong
On Tuesday morning, Man City announced a pre-season tour of Hong Kong, in what will be their first visit to the region in seven years.
City will play Inter Milan in The Asahi Super Dry Trophy at the Kai Tak Stadium on Saturday, August 1, as part of the Hong Kong Football Festival.
Of course, the two teams met in the 2023 Champions League final, which saw Man City record a 1-0 victory and lift their first ever European Cup.
The sides met again two years later in the group stage. This fixture was far less memorable, ending in a 0-0 draw at the Etihad Stadium.
James Trafford is receiving interest from Juventus
Juventus have become the latest club to throw their hat in the ring for Trafford, and they are currently monitoring his situation.
The Daily Mail have reported that the Serie A team would represent an ‘intriguing option’ for Trafford. After all, he would be able to experience a new league while being given the opportunity to play regular Champions League football.
Juventus are exploring the feasibility of a move for Trafford, as their search for a new goalkeeper continues.
The Italian side are looking to spend around £17m, which makes a loan move more likely considering City will not want to make a loss on the 23-year-old.
However, Juventus also hold interest in Alisson Becker and David De Gea, as well as some young European prospects.
Jamie Carragher backs Man City to win Premier League
Not so long ago, many pundits were hailing Arsenal’s squad as not only the best this season, but one of the greatest in the history of the Premier League.
This narrative has since changed rather dramatically, with City viewed as the team with the standout stars.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has backed Pep Guardiola’s team to win the English top flight, and part of the reason is due to the quality in their ranks.
"I think City have got the edge" 🔵
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 20, 2026
"City have got the harder fixtures, but you can't hang your hat on Arsenal at the moment"
Jamie Carragher reacts to Man City's vital 2-1 win over Arsenal in the top-of-the-table clash on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/5HmZXaM5Fr
He told Sky Sports Monday Night Football: “Yes, I think City have got the edge. I just think momentum, experience. I think how that will affect Arsenal psychologically, not just that game, the run of games that they’re on, the performances as well.
“I think this was definitely a better performance, there’s no doubt about that. I thought it was a brilliant game. I thought it was a testament to both teams, managers, it felt like a real top level game.
“City came out on top. I think they’ve just got a bit of extra talent, maybe a little bit more ability in certain positions than Arsenal do right now, but as I said it was a fantastic Premier League game, credit to them all.”
Craig Pawson will referee Southampton vs Man City
Man City’s cup clash will be refereed by Craig Pawson, who will be assisted by Lee Betts and Matthew Wilkes. Tony Berrington is the VAR, with Edward Smart as his deputy.
Pawson’s appointment may be considered a controversial one, since he disallowed Haaland’s goal in stoppage time when City defeated Liverpool in February.
The Norwegian had the ball in the back of the net, but the goal was ruled out as he fouled Dominik Szoboszlai in order to score.
However, since the Liverpool attacker had already denied a goal-scoring opportunity with his initial offence, he was shown a red card.
