Skip to content

LEAGUES News

De Bruyne not fully fit ahead of Manchester derby

SOPA Images / LightRocket / Getty

Pep Guardiola isn't 100% sure that Kevin De Bruyne will be fully fit for Sunday's Manchester derby.

The Belgian playmaker sat out Manchester City's FA Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday in midweek due to a shoulder problem suffered during last Sunday's League Cup final. Manager Guardiola revealed Friday that De Bruyne is still trying to shake off that injury prior to the weekend trip to local rivals Manchester United.

"He's getting better. Tomorrow he's going to train. He's not perfect but he feels better," Guardiola told a news conference, according to Reuters.

"This morning with the physio he said he feels better. Not perfect."

United have their own fitness concerns ahead of Sunday's showdown. Captain Harry Maguire missed Thursday's FA Cup match at Derby County with an ankle injury picked up in training and could miss the derby. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James will also undergo late fitness tests before City's visit.

Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer complained about the lack of preparation and rest time between his team's win in Derby and the weekend affair.

"It's that help we get from the FA again - that extra 24 hours that they've had," Solskjaer said.

"I cannot believe why there's a derby on Sunday and we've got to play Thursday night. What's the point in that? That doesn't level the playing field."

RELATED NEWS

VJ Edgecombe in his #NBA2KSummerLeague debut: 🔔 15 PTS 🔔 ...
No. 3 pick Edgecombe inefficient but scores 15 in return from thumb sprain
407 feet off the bat of Brent Rooker! #AllStarGame
A's Rooker gets AL on the board with 3-run HR off Giants' Rodríguez 💣
POLAR BEAR GOES YARD IN ATLANTA!
Alonso gets Atlanta on his side for once with 3-run HR to break All-Star Game open 🐻‍❄️
Freddie Freeman gets a standing ovation in Atlanta as he exi...
Freeman exits All-Star Game to nice ovation from Braves fans 👏
Clayton Kershaw exits at the #AllStarGame 👏
Kershaw lifted from potential final ASG to standing ovation from fans, teammates 🫡
GAS. Skenes with back-to-back Ks to start this All-Star Gam...
Skenes opens 95th All-Star Game with consecutive Ks ⛽️
Welcome back to Atlanta, Freddie Freeman! 👏 📺: FOX
Freeman gets emotional after loud ovation in All-Star return to Atlanta 🥹
😅 @Braves fans with a "warm" welcome to the Mets and Philli...
Braves fans boo Mets, Phillies All-Stars during intros 😂
RELEASE: Blackhawks Sign Anton Frondell to Three-Year, Entry...