Man City Christmas party cancelled as Pep Guardiola’s men look to avoid being cut adrift in title race

MANCHESTER CITY have reportedly cancelled their Christmas party.

Pep Guardiola and his side travel to Saudi Arabia next week for the Club World Cup.

ReutersManchester City have cancelled their christmas party[/caption]

And their busy schedule with matches against Red Star Belgrade and Crystal Palace means there is no time for a festive bash.

City host a big Christmas party for staff every year where players often make an appearance.

But this year departments have been given £50 a head to arrange for their own food and drink at their own party.

The Citizens are preparing to take part in the Club World Cup for the first time after winning the Champions League.

They are the favourites to win the competition and will take on either Urawa Red Diamonds or Club Leon in the semi-final next week.

City will hope they have a bit of momentum after coming from behind to beat Luton on Sunday.

Prior to that they were winless in four matches and were outplayed by Aston Villa last week.

They were dealt a blow ahead of kick-off against Luton after Erling Haaland was ruled out of the clash.

Haaland has a stress fracture in his foot and Guardiola said the striker will be assessed day by day.

The Spaniard said: “Bone stress reaction in his foot. After the last game against Aston VIlla, he felt like this and he cannot play.

“I don’t know [if it’s bad]. Week by week, day by day, let’s see what happens.”