Summer deadline day recruit Iliman Ndiaye has eased concerns from Manchester City fans over the reason behind his substitution on his debut against Coventry City on Saturday afternoon.
What can we expect from Iliman Ndiaye in a Manchester City shirt?
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Enzo Maresca and his Manchester City players continued their 100 per cent winning start to the 2026/27 Premier League season after dispatching of Frank Lampard's newly-promoted side via a narrow margin.
Erling Haaland may have thought he had sent the side on their way to a big result when he converted a deep Antoine Semenyo cross, with the Ghanaian meeting an excellent through-ball from £125 million signing Enzo Fernandez.
However, a battling performance from Coventry City forced Manchester City to fight themselves until the very end of the game, relying on No.1 goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to make three big saves during the second-half to protect a clean sheet.
The contest itself also brought about two full debuts in Manchester City shirts, with Enzo Fernandez - replacing Nico O'Reilly moments before kick-off owing to a warm-up injury - joined by Iliman Ndiaye for their Sky Blue bow this weekend.
And after a bright performance from both across the game, some supporters were left concerned by the manner of Ndiaye's exit, as the Senegal international was replaced by Ryan McAidoo owing to what appeared to be a fitness or injury problem.
Manchester City battled to victory in the Premier League against Coventry City, with Erling Haaland netting the winner and the Blues’ deadline day signings making their debuts.cityxtra.co.ukMatch Report and Player Ratings: Man City 1-0 Coventry City (Premier League)
Manchester City battled to victory in the Premier League against Coventry City, with Erling Haaland netting the winner and the Blues’ deadline day signings making their debuts.
Ndiaye clarifies Man City injury concerns after debut
Now, speaking after Manchester City's 1-0 win over Coventry City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon, Iliman Ndiaye confirmed to regional radio broadcasters that he was withdrawn late into the second-half with "just a little cramp".
Offering further insight into his own personal thoughts after completing his first appearance in a City shirt following his £65 million move from Everton, Ndiaye said, "I really enjoyed it. This is the level I want to be at.
"I hope it will stay like this. It’s not finished, I still have a lot of things to achieve here, trophies, that’s what I came here for. I hope all goes well."
"A 1-0 win is a 1-0 win, you get the three points," the Senegal international insisted. "It's a great start [to the season], and we need to keep winning."
What next for Ndiaye and Manchester City?
Manchester City now head into a mammoth week across competitions as they embark on their toughest pairing of fixtures under Enzo Maresca, with challenges in both the UEFA Champions League and Premier League away from home.
Beginning with the former and City head to Portugal on Tuesday night for a clash against FC Porto at Estádio do Dragão on matchweek one of the league phase in Europe's premier club competition.
Enzo Maresca and his players will then return to Manchester on Wednesday to put together preparations for the first derby of the season in the city, as they face Michael Carrick's side at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
The Italian coach is expected to provide a wider-ranging fitness update on his side upon touching down in Portugal on Monday evening, particularly amid ongoing fitness issues concerning Jeremy Doku (calf) and Nico O'Reilly (back).