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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Jack Flintham

Kevin De Bruyne's Man City absence explained as Pep Guardiola hints at Julian Alvarez rethink

Here are your Manchester City evening headlines on Sunday, April 30.

De Bruyne's absence explained

Manchester City were given an injury concern on Sunday as Kevin De Bruyne wasn't fit enough to travel to Fulham in the Premier League.

Having scored twice and assisted another in the 4-1 win over Arsenal on Wednesday, Pep Guardiola had confirmed that De Bruyne had picked up a 'niggle' in the second half and he was substituted with ten minutes to go.

ALSO READ: City player ratings vs Fulham

While Guardiola didn't seem too concerned with the problem, it was enough to keep him out of the trip to Fulham, and City will now hope his injury is not too serious with fixtures against West Ham, Leeds and Real Madrid following in the next fortnight.

Read more on De Bruyne's absence here.

Guardiola hints at Alvarez rethink

Pep Guardiola suggested that he may have to find a way of fitting Julian Alvarez into his plans alongside Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland.

Haaland started again up front at Fulham as he has done ahead of Alvarez whenever he has been fit, and notched his 50th goal of the campaign in all competitions in the 2-1 win. However, the victory was down to a match-winning performance from Alvarez behind him, who starred in the absence of the injured De Bruyne.

Guardiola was full of praise for the ability and character of Alvarez when he spoke after the game, and indicated that he may be playing his way into a regular starting position even when De Bruyne returns. The manager conceded that his team were not as good in their attacks as they usually are, but put that down to the conditions of the pitch.

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