Manchester City's decision to pay unique tribute to injured midfielder Ilkay Gundogan was met with a mixture of amusement and confusion on Sunday afternoon as the 26-year-old was forced to jokingly reassure fans that he had not died.

The German international is set to miss the rest of the Premier League season after suffering a suspected anterior cruciate ligament injury to his right knee during Manchester City’s 2-0 victory over Watford on Wednesday evening.

The former Borussia Dortmund playmaker doubts he will play again this term and expects to be sidelined for at least the next five months.