Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne was withdrawn in the reigning champions’ opening match of the season against Burnley and now looks set for a stint on the sidelines.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Kevin De Bruyne will be ruled out for months after his opening day injury blow.
The Belgian playmaker suffered a hamstring problem in the first-half against Burnley on Saturday. He was withdrawn after just 23 minutes of the showdown at Turf Moor to be replaced by summer signing Mateo Kovacic.
Guardiola remained tight-lipped on the problem following his side’s 3-0 success against Vincent Kompany’s men. However, he has now offered an update on De Bruyne’s condition and confirmed that he will have to undergo surgery – something that could see him miss the opening few months of the Premier League season.
Speaking in a press conference ahead of the UEFA Super Cup showdown with Spanish side Sevilla, the Man City boss said: “We have to decide if it’s surgery or not surgery but he will be out for a few months. It will be decided in the next few days. Surgery is surgery. He will be out for three or four months.
Guardiola added: “The injury for Kevin is a sore blow for us. But at the same time we have to look forward. The skills of Kevin are irreplaceable but it’s an opportunity for others and I’m sure they will take it.”
The news is yet another injury blow to De Bruyne having also suffered a hamstring issue during Man City’s victorious Champions League final showdown against Inter Milan. He recovered throughout the summer and was fit enough to appear as a substitute during the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal at Wembley.
The 32-year-old now looks set to miss a clutch of Premier League fixtures, whilst he also appears unlikely to feature as City kick-off the defence of their European crown. After taking on Sevilla, City clash with Newcastle, Sheffield United and Fulham before the first international break of the season.
The draw for the Champions League group stages takes place on August 31. The first group fixtures take place across September 19 and 20.
Whilst De Bruyne will no doubt be a miss, City still managed to cruise to victory against Burnley without him. After Erling Haaland’s opener, the Norwegian doubled his evening’s work before the break.
Rodri rounded off the opening day victory, whilst Anass Zaroury was sent off for the Clarets. Guardiola might have to make a few changes from his line-up against Sevilla.
John Stones was absent from the matchday squad, whilst Ruben Dias was suffering from concussion. Bernardo Silva has also been recovering from illness –Mirror.