Kevin De Bruyne is missing from Manchester City's squad to face Brentford because he is not fully fit.
While many expected Pep Guardiola to ring the changes at the Community Stadium, few expected his talismanic Belgian to miss out altogether. De Bruyne has been instrumental in helping City secure their third straight Premier League crown.
Guardiola announced seven changes on his team sheet from the side who drew 1-1 at Brighton. Big hitters such as Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland are on the bench but there is no place in the squad for De Bruyne.
READ MORE: Guardiola makes Man Utd FA Cup admission ahead of Brentford fixture
The MEN understands the 31-year-old is not fully fit, although there is currently no indication that he is a doubt for either of the cup finals City will take part in over the next fortnight. As well as De Bruyne, City also left Ruben Dias, Jack Grealish and Manuel Akanji at home, with a slight lack of fitness also understood to be the reason for their absences.
The Spaniard admitted before the trip to Brentford that the upcoming cup finals played on his mind more than City’s remaining Premier League fixtures. Guardiola said: “Of course, I'm thinking (Manchester) United and I'm thinking Inter Milan. More than Brentford.
"To visualise winning I have to work and know the opponent. Study the opponent to give all we do to be close to winning.”
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