Both Neville and Carragher referenced Guardiola's decision not to start De Bruyne during City's 2-0 loss to Liverpool on Sunday. De Bruyne came on for the last 12 minutes of the match, prompting Neville to call the situation between him and Guardiola "bizarre and strange," while Carragher implied there might be underlying issues.
Guardiola has now stated: "People say I have a problem with Kevin. Do you really think I enjoy not playing him? That I don’t want him on the field? He’s the player with the most talent in the final third—why wouldn’t I want that? Do I have a personal problem with him after spending nine years together?
"He has been instrumental to my biggest successes at this club. However, he’s been sidelined due to injuries for five months and has missed two months recently. At 33, he needs time to regain his best form, just like last season, and he'll get there step by step.
"I would gladly have Kevin at his peak, when he was 26 or 27. He would feel the same way. But he’s not that age anymore. He has a history of significant injuries and needs to be in good physical condition to maintain his space and energy."