Why Kevin De Bruyne isn’t in Man City’s squad against Brentford

Kevin De Bruyne did not travel to London with his Manchester City team-mates

Kevin De Bruyne is absent from the Manchester City squad for the Brentford game as he is not fully fit.

While many expected Pep Guardiola to announce the changes at the Community Stadium, few expected his talismanic Belgian to be absent altogether. De Bruyne helped City clinch their third successive Premier League title.

Guardiola has announced seven changes to his squad list from the side which drew 1-1 at Brighton. Beaters like Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland are on the bench but there is no place in the squad for De Bruyne. Man City want revenge for Champions League heartache against Real Madrid last season

The MEN understand that the 31-year-old is not fully fit, although there are currently no signs that he has any doubts about participating in any of the cup finals City are set to attend over the next two weeks. As well as De Bruyne, City have also left Ruben Dias, Jack Grealish and Manuel Akanji at home, with a slight lack of fitness also seen as a reason for their absences.

The Spaniard admitted before the trip to Brentford that the upcoming cup final was more on his mind than City’s last Premier League games. Guardiola said: “Of course I think of (Manchester) United and I think of Inter Milan. More than Brentford. “To imagine winning, I have to work and know the opponent. Study the opponent to give everything we do to be close to victory.

Also…

Erik ten Hag cannot solve Manchester United’s biggest problem alone

Man Utd met Manchester City in the FA Cup final but ended up losing thanks to Gundogan goals.

Manchester United had conceded in the first 10 minutes of their last three defeats against Man City. It seemed like the only possible outcome as Ilkay Gundogan shot gleefully just 12 seconds from the FA Cup final.

United have a habit of blaming them for collapsing under pressure and collapsing when the heat got too much. The article may not be ready yet, but this team is definitely showing the first signs that they are on the right track. Erik ten Hag’s game plan went haywire after his team’s disastrous start, but what makes a top manager is his ability to react in the heat of the moment and adapt to his new environment.

That’s exactly what United did as they dug deeper into the trenches to resist a rush to City and ensure the afternoon wouldn’t be a sure end without a proper fight.

It wasn’t exactly pretty, but it wasn’t necessary. All that matters on Derby day is winning, no matter how it happens, and that’s all the more obvious when it means the treble is on the line.

That’s exactly what United did as they dug deeper into the trenches to resist a rush to City and ensure the afternoon wouldn’t be a sure end without a proper fight. It wasn’t exactly pretty, but it wasn’t necessary. All that matters on Derby day is winning, no matter how it happens, and that’s all the more obvious when it means the treble is on the line.

United were lucky with the controversial penalty which gave them an unlikely stoppage in the game, but it’s also a testament to Ten Hag’s management and how he has rejuvenated a player like Aaron Wan-Bissaka who he’s so bitter about it that he fought for the win. .

This reaction to the delay was a testament to the new faith and mentality their manager had instilled, but ultimately the game was also a reminder that there are limits to managerial talent.

There are players in the roster that he has further improved, those that will be an important part of his team next season, and others that he has already maxed out who are no longer of value. David de Gea remains an unresolved issue and was objectionable to both of Gundogan’s goals; Jadon Sancho looked scared when he touched the ball; and Fred played as bad as we all know he can.

Indeed, for the second goal of the match, Fred conceded a useless free kick and then a fiendishly bouncing ball stretched excruciatingly away from De Gea’s outstretched glove.

These are the thin margins that so often decide matches at the highest level. These are the slim margins United need to reduce further over the summer with top quality recruits.

But with his options limited to him and the squad already enlarged, Ten Hag could do little more than line up as he has and hope his players play to their full potential. Christian Eriksen, so often the savior had a game to forget, and all United could offer was a support slot for players who were a little undercooked or undercooked.

It’s never seemed like a reliable game plan, and that’s because it’s not. United cannot beat City at their own game with the players they have and still need to enjoy being underdogs if they are to find a way to win.

There are already enough signs of improvement this season to suggest that it is possible with more time and investment in the playing squad, but until then there is very little Ten Hag can do to match the best.

United should take heart in the fact that they haven’t collapsed like they used to, not that today will be much consolation.