Manchester City captain Alex Greenwood undergoes knee surgery

Manchester City skipper Alex Greenwood has undergone knee surgery after damaging ligaments in last week’s Champions League tie against St Polten.

The 31-year-old England defender injured her left knee following a challenge during the first half of City’s 2-0 win.

City have not revealed how long Greenwood is expected to be out of action.

A club statement read: “Manchester City can confirm that Alex Greenwood has had successful surgery on a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury.

“Our captain was stretchered off in the Blues’ 2-0 Women’s Champions League win over St Polten at the Joie Stadium.

“The defender has since undergone a repair of her MCL and will now return to the City Football Academy to work closely with the club’s medical team.

“Everyone at Manchester City would like to wish Alex a full and speedy recovery.”

Greenwood posted on X, alongside a picture from her hospital bed: “Not the ending to 2024 that I had planned.

“I will work so hard to be back on the pitch as soon as I can, for now I’m going to take some time to myself & family who always give their time to me.”

Greenwood’s team-mates Vivianne Miedema and Lauren Hemp are both recovering from knee surgery, while leading scorer Khadija Shaw is sidelined with a lower leg issue.

City are currently second in the Women’s Super League, six points behind leaders Chelsea.