Manchester City take on Coventry City at the Etihad Stadium but will do so without summer signing Allan from Palmeiras, it has been confirmed.
Who is Allan Elias? Manchester City's new right-winger!
More Videos
It is Manchester City's third contest of the 2026/27 Premier League season and their second at home, as Enzo Maresca looks to extend his perfect start to life in charge of the Sky Blues and Pep Guardiola's successor.
City began the campaign with a 2-1 comeback win over Bournemouth at the Etihad, before a commanding 1-4 win away at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace, with the newly-promoted Sky Blues the latest test - led by former Manchester City icon Frank Lampard.
Despite a big week featuring away trips to FC Porto in the UEFA Champions League and Manchester United in the Premier League, Maresca has once more opted for a strong line-up featuring his most in-form stars.
Ahead of kick-off, a defensive unit of Gianluigi Donnarumma, Abdukodir Khusanov, Ruben Dias, Marc Guehi, and Josko Gvardiol was confirmed, sitting behind a midfield comprising of Elliot Anderson, Nico O'Reilly, and Rayan Cherki.
In attack, there is a full Manchester City debut for Iliman Ndiaye after his £65 million switch on deadline day from Everton, accompanied by Antoine Semenyo and Erling Haaland in a front-three.
And while Ndiaye's fellow summer signings in Geronimo Rulli, Enzo Fernandez, and Ayyoub Bouaddi feature on the bench, one name was a notable omission despite his big-money switch to the club in the final days of the recently-concluded market.
As the transfer deadline passes, here is a comprehensive round-up of every single deal completed by Hugo Viana and Manchester City across the summer of 2026.cityxtra.co.uk48 Man City Transfers Completed in the 2026 Summer Window - Full List
As the transfer deadline passes, here is a comprehensive round-up of every single deal completed by Hugo Viana and Manchester City across the summer of 2026.
Why Allan misses Man City vs Coventry
Now, according to the Manchester Evening News' Simon Bajkowski, there is said to be no space for Allan in the Manchester City squad against Coventry City on Saturday afternoon as the Brazilian works his way back to fitness.
The £35 million right-sided forward signed from Brazilian club Palmeiras in the final weeks of the recent summer transfer window is said to be 'not fit enough' to be in Enzo Maresca's squad for the meeting with Frank Lampard's side.
How does Allan fit into the Man City side
The wider expectation is that Allan will be a like-for-like replacement to Savinho, who departed Manchester City after two seasons working under Pep Guardiola, before a brief spell with Enzo Maresca this summer.
The former ESTAC Troyes and Girona forward opted to make a move to Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur - now spearheaded by Roberto De Zerbi - in a deal worth up to an eye-watering £85 million.
Unlike Savinho, there is great expectations around Allan's defensive capabilities and his willingness to track back, in addition to his obvious capabilities going forward and taking on defenders in one-versus-one situations.