Manchester City suffer double injury blow in Barcelona charity friendly

Manchester City have been hit with a double injury blow.

The Premier League Champions faced FC Barcelona in a charity friendly at the Spotify Camp Nou on Wednesday.

The fixture, raising money for the ALS research at the Luzon Foundation, was in aid of Juan Carlos Unzue, who played and coached alongside Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola at Barcelona.

City had to settle for another 3-3 draw, with Riyad Mahrez's late penalty cancelling out Memphis Depay's strike.

Julian Alvarez had given City an earlier lead in Catalonia, capitalising on a goalkeeping mistake.

Former Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang brought Barca level, before Frenkie De Jong handed the La Liga side the lead.

Cole Palmer equalised for the Blues after a slick City move, however Memphis Depay restored the home sides lead on 79th minute.

It would end all square at the Camp Nou, after Mahrez converted from the penalty spot, after Erling Haaland was tripped in the box.

Concerningly for Pep Guardiola, City suffered two potentially significant injury blows in the second-half.

Kalvin Phillips, who was making his first start since his £42 million move from Leeds United, was forced off after suffering an innocuous injury to his arm.

The Englishman had only just returned from an injury, and was replaced during the second-half due to problem.

Meanwhile, teenage defender Luke Mbete was involved in a nasty collision towards of the end of fixture.

The 18 year-old was stretched off the field wearing a neck brace, with notable concern for the defender who required treatment for a lengthy period of time.

Guardiola was already without two City stars for Wednesday's friendly.

Aymeric Laporte remains sidelined due to an injury sustained last season, while Jack Grealish missed Sunday's enthralling draw with Newcastle United due to injury.

Speaking about Grealish's injury at the weekend, Guardiola said: "He (Grealish) had an incredible blow in the last game against Bournemouth in the last minutes.

"We're lucky it was just a little, little, little damage to his ligament, but not much. He feels better, but not ready for today."

City welcome Crystal Palace to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday in the Premier League.

Newly promoted Nottingham Forest also visit the home of the Premier League Champions next week in the league.