📣 Guardiola on De Bruyne, Agüero and the European Super League | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke to the press on Friday ahead of their FA Cup fourth round clash against Cheltenham.

Kevin de Bruyne, Sergio Agüero and the prospect of a European Super League were all on the agenda.

Here’s what he had to say …

On Kevin de Bruyne …

“The doctor said between four and six weeks, but we have to move forward.

“I’m not saying anything that anyone doesn’t know, it is unfortunate for him and for us.

“We have to find a solution – everyone in their own life is struggling in the situation we are living. We have to adapt.”

On whether injuries can be avoided …

“We compete in all the competitions and it is so important to have fit, healthy players but it is so impossible when they play every three days for 11 months.

“There are injuries at all clubs and we know it. We try to take care of players but they are humans and at some point the bodies say it is enough.”

On Sergio Agüero testing positive …

“What we wish right now with Sergio [Agüero] is he feels better. He felt uncomfortable for the first few days, tired like all the COVID-19 symptoms.

“We have missed our best striker for a long time, but we have lived without him and will try move forward without him.”

On the prospect of a European Super League …

“We cannot lose what means a lot. What does the FA Cup mean? Leagues? We should make every league stronger.

“We need quality not quantity. We have to reduce the teams. We cannot kill lower divisions.”

On facing Cheltenham …

“Cheltenham deserve my respect.

“Now I am going to play the team against Cheltenham, we are training exactly what we want to do to try and beat them.”

On Bernardo finding his mojo …

“He’s back. He struggled last season, maybe for the lack of minutes or maybe because he was not like him.

“He has always been so important for us but he cannot play every single game.”

City head into the clash at Johnny Rocks Stadium having each of their last six games.