- Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher questioned why Kevin De Bruyne wasn’t playing
- De Bruyne has played 72 minutes across five games since returning from injury
- LISTEN NOW: Manchester City correspondent Jack Gaughan joins It’s All Kicking Off! to explain whether Pep Guardiola will have money to spend in January
Kevin De Bruyne has been selected to start for Manchester City on Wednesday night – just a day after Pep Guardiola was forced to deny there was a rift between himself and the Belgian.
De Bruyne, 33, has featured for only 72 minutes over five substitute appearances since returning from a lengthy pelvic injury last month – and conspiracy theories about his situation were suggested in the aftermath of Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Liverpool.
Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports that ‘something isn’t right between those two’ and Gary Neville vaguely offered that ‘something is definitely going on in the dressing room’.
Gary Lineker and Micah Richards discussed similar alongside Alan Shearer on their podcast ‘The Rest is Football’.
However, Guardiola hit back at these claims ahead of City’s clash against Nottingham Forest – and the Spaniard has put his faith in De Bruyne from the start.
On Tuesday, the under-fire City boss, who has seen his side lose six of their last seven games in all competitions, had ridiculed the suggestions before hailing De Bruyne for his talents.
Kevin De Bruyne has been selected to start for Manchester City on Wednesday night
De Bruyne has played just 72 minutes across five games since returning from injury last month
Pundits including Gary Neville had suggested De Bruyne may have fallen out with Guardiola
‘People say I’ve got a problem with Kevin,’ the City boss said on Tuesday. ‘Do you think I like to not play with Kevin?’
Guardiola continued sarcastically: ‘No, I don’t want Kevin to play. The guy who has the most talent in the final third. I don’t want it. I have a personal problem with him after nine years together.’
The 33-year-old has been cautious over his return from the most recent issue – and City are mindful of the accumulation of injuries after he missed five months following hamstring surgery last year.
‘He’s delivered the biggest successes to this club,’ Guardiola added. ’I’d love to have the Kevin in his prime, 26 or 27. He would love it to. But he is not 26 or 27 anymore.
’He had injuries in the past, important and long ones. He is a guy who needs to be physically fit for his space and energy.
‘He needs time to find his best. Like last season, step by step. He’ll try to do it and feel better.
‘I’m desperate to have his best. I know he is desperate to help us, he gives glimpses of brilliance that only he can do.’
De Bruyne is in his 10th season at the club, with the Belgian having won 16 trophies, including six Premier League titles during that time.
Guardiola ridiculed these suggestions and hailed De Bruyne for all he has done at City
The City boss has turned to the Belgian from the start as he attempts to halt his side’s bad run
He has remarkably scored 103 goals and added 170 assists in 393 games for the club, although his future is uncertain given he is yet to sign an extension to his current contract, which expires at the end of the season.
The clash against Forest will be De Bruyne’s fifth Premier League start of the season but his first since the 2-1 win over Brentford on September 14.
Guardiola has made four changes for the encounter, with Jeremy Doku, Jack Grealish and Josko Gvardiol also in from the off as City try to get back to winning ways.
Along with the general boost of De Bruyne being back in the starting line up, City will hope he helps Erling Haaland to recapture his best form, with the Norwegian having scored just twice in his past eight Premier League games.
It won’t be easy though against a Forest team who are just one point and one place behind City after 13 matches.
