Pep Guardiola looks likely to resume rivalries with Jose Mourinho short of his top attacker after the Football Association (FA) charged Sergio Aguero with violent conduct for elbowing Winston Reid.
The Manchester City striker threw an elbow at West Ham’s Winston Reid during Sunday’s 3-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium.
Referee Andre Marriner did not include the incident in his match report, with retrospective action set to be taken against the Argentina star, who could now sit out September 10’s derby against Manchester United as a result.
A possible three-match ban would also rule Aguero out of subsequent fixtures with Bournemouth and Swansea City, in the EFL Cup.
The 28-year-old, who has scored six goals already this season, has until 6pm on Wednesday to respond to the charge.
Aguero will also be out for a Premier League clash against Bournemouth and an EFL Cup trip to Swansea City.
An FA statement read: ‘Off the ball incidents which are not seen at the time by the match officials are referred to a panel of three former elite match officials.
‘Each panel member will review the video footage independently of one another to determine whether they consider it a sending-off offence.
‘For retrospective action to be taken, and an FA charge to follow, the decision of the panel must be unanimous.’
Guardiola said on Sunday that he hadn’t seen the altercation but promised City would plough on regardless.
Aguero pulled out of international duty with Argentina this week because of a calf problem and might have struggled for fitness ahead of the United clash.
It would leave Guardiola with decisions to make before the opening duel with Jose Mourinho. With Kelechi Iheanacho as his only recognised striker, Guardiola may be forced to play Nolito or even Raheem Sterling through the middle.
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