Kevin De Bruyne has said he wishes Paul Pogba were available for Sunday’s Manchester derby because he relishes coming up against the best players.
Pogba will be starting a three-match ban after his red card in Manchester United’s 3-1 win at Arsenal for a challenge on Héctor Bellerín. Pogba said last week that he hoped Manchester City players would suffer injuries to help United’s title push but De Bruyne rejected the idea that karma was at work.
“I don’t believe in that,” the City player said. “I’m a very straightforward guy. If someone believes it is karma then OK. Everyone has their right to their opinion. I don’t want anyone to get injured. It’s a competition, you want to play against the best teams and the best players.
“I don’t care [what he says]. He can say whatever he wants. We just have to be focused on whatever we’re doing. He’s a massive player. I know him a little bit. He’s unbelievable. He took a red card and that’s the way it goes – you have injuries and suspensions.”
If City win at Old Trafford they will move 11 points clear at the top. De Bruyne said: “It means we [would] almost have a four-game advantage. It’s a good gap but doesn’t mean anything. Football goes very quick. It’s a busy two months when things can change but the way we’re going is good and we need to continue that.
“United are one of the biggest clubs in the country. They’re a massive team, they want to win the title. They spent a lot of money, like a lot of the big teams. They will be up for it and we will be up for it. Hopefully it’ll be a good game. We’ll play the same there. We never change. We try to do the things that we are good at. That gives us the best chance to win.”
De Bruyne is not travelling to Kharkiv for Wednesday night’s final Champions League group game against Shakhtar Donestk because he is suspended.
There is nothing riding on the game for City, who are through as group winners. “Maybe [it is] good for me to get a little bit of rest and prepare myself for Sunday,” De Bruyne said.
Pep Guardiola has been reminded of his responsibilities by the Football Association but will face no action for his animated exchange with Nathan Redmond at the end of Manchester City’s 2-1 victory over Southampton on Wednesday.
The FA asked the City manager for his observations regarding the incident which occurred after the final whistle at the Etihad Stadium. Guardiola, who had just seen Raheem Sterling score a 96th-minute winner, approached Redmond to remonstrate with him in what appeared a vehement manner.
Although Redmond issued a statement to make it clear he had no issue with Guardiola, the FA wrote to Guardiola to request clarification. On Friday Guardiola admitted: “I can’t control myself” but said he hoped to improve, and the FA has accepted his explanation while making him aware as to his future conduct.