Fit-again Kevin De Bruyne can give Manchester City extra edge – Pep Guardiola

Posted Monday, January 07, 2019 by PA

Pep Guardiola believes a fit-again Kevin De Bruyne could give Manchester City an extra edge for the remainder of the season.

De Bruyne played a starring role on his latest return from injury as City thrashed Rotherham 7-0 in the third round of the FA Cup at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

The Belgium playmaker has had two lengthy lay-offs with knee injuries this season while he missed City’s previous two games with a muscular problem.

PEP 💬 We took it seriously and do what we have to do to be a great club. 8/9 fresh legs who saw what their mates did on Thursday.
Everyone was really, really good.#cityvrufc #mancity pic.twitter.com/AFzrvsB4NK
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 6, 2019

Guardiola hopes the 27-year-old can play an influential role as City bid to chase down Liverpool in the Premier League title race.

The City manager said: “I said many times how important Kevin is for us. Without him, last season would maybe not have been possible.

“So far we have done incredible in terms of results, but we have an opponent (Liverpool) that has done better. Fifty points is incredible, it is huge.

“But they are an opponent that has done better than us without him.

2️⃣2️⃣ goals scored this afternoon 😅 pic.twitter.com/wbCwtyNZl7
— The Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 6, 2019

“Now he is back he will be fresh in the mind and the legs, and is going to help give us extra in the creativity in the last third, in the fight. Today he was our captain and he showed us why.”

City brushed aside their Championship opponents. Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden and a Semi Ajayi own goal put the hosts into a comfortable half-time lead before further efforts from Gabriel Jesus, Riyad Mahrez, Nicolas Otamendi and Leroy Sane completed the rout.

“We took (it) seriously,” said Guardiola. “We do what we have to do to become a great, great club.

“The great clubs don’t choose competitions, don’t choose games. Every game you have to do your job and we did amazingly again.”

pic.twitter.com/Ig9WT1Sunk
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 6, 2019

Foden’s goal – his first at the Etihad – did not come from the cleanest of touches but his general play impressed Guardiola.

The Spaniard said of the 18-year-old: “Today was fortunate. He wants to control the ball and it touches his knee and goes in, but he was there and his movement was incredible.

“He still has to improve but that is normal. He is 18 years old and the best way to learn is to play.”

Asked if Foden might be loaned out to gain experience in January, Guardiola said: “No way – impossible.”

A delighted @philfoden speaks after netting his first goal at the Etihad 💬#cityvrufc 🔵 #mancity pic.twitter.com/HSlmkBol4A
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 6, 2019

Rotherham manager Paul Warne felt no shame in defeat.

Warne said: “I was pleased the final whistle went. We came across, obviously, a very good Manchester City team who wanted to win.

“I think the first 10 minutes confused my lads a bit. We’d prepped them as well as we could but I don’t think (you realise), until you actually witness it with your own eyes, how quick they are and how good their movement is.

FREEVIEW | We can learn a lot from the experience – Warne. #rufc https://t.co/nzcJft1X24
— Rotherham United (@OfficialRUFC) January 6, 2019

“The gulf in class is there for everyone to see. It summed it up when I told my right-back to smile when Sterling came off and Sane came on. I was thinking, ‘Oh my God’.”

Some of the build-up to the game focused on Warne’s resemblance to Guardiola.

Warne said: “I spoke to him beforehand and said, ‘be gentle’ but after I just shook his hand and said, ‘your team is a joy to watch’.”