Guardiola insists Kompany, Aguero aren't being forced out of City

Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero are still in Pep Guardiola's plans this season as the Manchester City boss has rejected claims he's attempting to nudge the pair out.

Reports about their possible exits were rampant in the days following their exclusion from City's starting team during Wednesday's Champions League match against Barcelona.

While Aguero eventually made it into the match as a substitute, Kompany had no such luck as he wasn't included on Guardiola's bench during the 4-0 defeat.

Guardiola rubbished the reports Friday, explaining his decision to exclude them from the starting XI had nothing to do with forcing either player out of the club.

"They have a future," Guardiola said Friday, according to the BBC. "Vincent was not perfectly fit. Sergio, I said after, was a tactical decision."

Aguero was the most glaring exclusion Wednesday as Guardiola opted to deploy Kevin De Bruyne in attack. However, Guardiola explained he had hoped the Argentine forward would be able to wreak havoc late in the match.

"I spoke with Sergio, he was very understanding and he helped us from the bench," he added. "I thought in the last minutes when Barca are tired Sergio could have helped us."

Guardiola added he and the medical staff are taking a cautious approach with the oft-injured Kompany to ensure his fitness throughout the season.

He didn't confirm whether either player will feature Sunday against Southampton.