Ruben Dias of Manchester City applauds the fans after the game during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Phase MD1 Manchester City vs Napoli

Ruben Dias is one of Man City's leadership figures under Enzo Maresca.Imago

'Fraud' - Man City fans erupt at Ruben Dias as damning data emerges

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

Published on:

21 Sep 2026, 9:52 am

Ruben Dias has been highlighted as a worrying weak spot during Manchester City's eight-goal thriller against Sunderland.

Enzo Maresca's side put five past their opponents on Sunday, 20 September, providing the Etihad crowd with a sensational game of football.

The Black Cats had a response to almost everything, with Brian Brobbey leaving with the matchball, having scored a hat-trick in the 5-3 game.

Brobbey caused problems for Man City's entire backline throughout the game, but it was Dias who was especially bullied by Sunderland's No.9.

With Abdukodir Khusanov left on the bench for the entire 90 minutes, Dias was left to fend for himself, while Marc Guehi held his own in defence.

Despite being one of Maresca's chosen leadership figures for the 2026-27 campaign, it was the No.3 who required assistance from his teammates.

Man City's captain got 'bullied' by Sunderland

Dias ended the afternoon with five fouls committed [FotMob], somehow not picking up a caution from referee Rob Jones this weekend.

That is the main stat that has left both sets of fans furious, Sunderland for his actions going unpunished, and City for the defender not being substituted.

In the words of jack grealish and erling “This award goes to the biggest fraud ruben dias always in the gym but where are the results.” https://t.co/cUEKCYkecd
— Josh (@Josh_Mcfc1894) September 20, 2026

Someone needs to give Ruben his legs back !! The scary thing is now he’s the captain he’s undroppable🤦🏻 https://t.co/lxfTOgjgWj
— Dave (@bigdizzle1986) September 21, 2026

No pace, gets bullied on the pitch, Loose passes, gives away the ball under the slightest bit of pressure, can't mark his man properly throughout the game. https://t.co/uZMOU02SdZ
— K (@cityXrcb) September 20, 2026

Drop him simple he’s a total liability
— Lee Kennedy (@K3nn3dy10) September 21, 2026

Labelled as a "total liability" and the "biggest fraud" in the gym, Regis Le Bris' players clearly caused issues for the experienced 29-year-old.

Were the Citizens without so many talented attackers, the result might have been very different at the Etihad Stadium.

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Enzo Le Fee surely exit-bound after Sunderland star's 100% display vs Man City

Ruben Dias' stats make for grim reading

The main footage going around is of the centre-back's incredible goalline clearance, but even that came about due to his own mistake.

In 90 minutes, Dias lost 57 per cent of his aerial duels, lost 100 per cent of his ground duels, was dribbled past twice, and made no tackles.

He also had just 36 touches, and comparing that with his 128-touch display against Coventry City just two weeks ago, the performance was night and day.

Calls for the Man City captain to be sold are way over the top, but a spot on the bench after the international break cannot be ruled out completely.

Ruben Santos Gato Alves Dias