Manchester City: Leroy Sane opts to see Bayern-linked doctor for knee surgery

Sané takes personal choice not to visit Guardiola's preferred doctor

Leroy Sane will undergo a knee operation in Austria this weekend after deciding against being treated by Manchester City and Pep Guardiola’s preferred surgeon.

Sané is set to be sidelined for up to seven months after suffering a cruciate ligament injury during the Community Shield victory over Liverpool.

The 23-year-old will be treated by Dr Christian Fink, a specialist he has previously worked with while representing the Germany national team.

Fink has also worked with Bayern Munich, who have a long-standing interest in Sané and sought to bring him to Bavaria this summer before the injury.

City normally send players who require surgery to Dr Ramon Cugat, a surgeon based in Barcelona.

Cugat has previously worked with Benjamin Mendy, Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan as well as other City players who have suffered long-term injuries.

The club is understood to be relaxed about Sané’s personal choice to visit Fink, after receiving recommendations from the Germany set-up.

Guardiola revealed last week that Sané would miss the majority of the campaign through injury. “Hopefully in February or March he can come back with us,“ he said.

On the interest in Sané from Bayern, he added: “I didn’t think he was leaving. Always I said he’s our player and he didn’t tell me he wanted to leave, he played the pre-season and he played in the [Community Shield] final.

“Unfortunately it’s incredibly bad news because in three seasons we have had three ACLs. He’s a young player, hopefully he will recover well in terms of the surgery.

“He is in the best hands possible. All the people here are going to try to help him in the tough moment because he will feel alone after a few months.“