Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed that Kevin De Bruyne is a major doubt for the Manchester derby on Sunday against Manchester United. This news will be heartwarming to United and their fans who are still hurting from their exit in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, thanks to the Belgian.
The Belgian missed City’s FA Cup win at Sheffield Wednesday on Wednesday through injury. De Bruyne was not part of the squad that traveled to Hillsborough for Wednesday’s fifth-round tie, which City won 1-0.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Guardiola said the 28-year-old midfielder sustained a shoulder injury when he landed awkwardly on his back and shoulder few minutes to Sunday’s Carabao Cup final victory over Aston Villa at Wembley.
According to the City manager, he is uncertain if De Bruyne will be fit for Sunday’s Premier League clash with their neighbors at Old Trafford.
Guardiola said: “Kevin had a problem here (points to shoulder).
“He was not fit. In the last game, the last minute he fell down in a bad position and had a problem in his back. We don’t know how long (he will be out). Hopefully not much.”
Asked if he would be fit for the derby, Guardiola said: “I don’t know.”
City were not overly troubled by their Sky Bet Championship hosts at Hillsborough but were made to work hard for their victory by the spirited hosts. A firm left-foot finish from Sergio Aguero, which passed under goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith on 53 minutes, proved the difference and means City, the holders, will travel to Newcastle in the quarter-finals.
“This is our fourth game away in a row and we have another one on Sunday at Old Trafford,” Guardiola added. “We spent a lot of mental energy in the last games and then came here.
“But the players were absolutely ready, we didn’t concede one shot on target and that means a lot for our capacity to read the game. At the end we scored a goal and could have scored much, much more.”
Guardiola felt the game would put City in good heart for the derby, adding: “It’s better to go there winning games, being in the FA Cup, than being out.
“Tomorrow we’re going to watch a little bit of United versus Derby to analyse what they have done the last game, and we’re going to go there to try to win.”
FutballNews reports that City will travel to St. James’ Park to face Newcastle United in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup. The defending champions’ clash with Steve Bruce’s side is perhaps the most favorable of the fixtures. Pep Guardiola’s men will fancy the chance to add more silverware to the Carabao Cup they won after beating Aston Villa 2-1 on Sunday.
