Football
Jonathan Smith, Manchester City correspondent 7y

Man City's Kevin De Bruyne to miss EFL Cup tie vs. Man United

MANCHESTER -- Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne has been ruled out of the EFL Cup clash with Manchester United after picking up a knock at the weekend.

De Bruyne is also a doubt for the Premier League game against West Brom on Saturday after he was injured and taken off at half-time in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Southampton.

Pablo Zabaleta is also ruled out after he got a cut that required stitches in the defeat to Barcelona but Vincent Kompany is expected to be in the squad after playing 78 minutes on Sunday.

City boss Pep Guardiola told a news conference: "Kevin has a knock and he cannot play. Pablo I think cannot. Vincent I think he can but I need to see training and regeneration."

Guardiola said he is "going to rotate" for the derby because of a hectic schedule that sees City play seven games in 21 days.

"Some of them will play, first because they deserve it and second because we played tough, tough games," he told a news conference. "We play 35 minutes with 10 men against Barcelona and it was a tough game against Southampton.

"People are tired. I need today to see the players in the training session and after I am going to decide but I'm pretty sure we're going to rotate."

Academy products Aleix Garcia, Angelino, Brahim Diaz, Tosin Adarabioyo, Angus Gunn and Pablo Maffeo were all in the 18-man matchday squad for the win over Swansea City.

However, Guardiola said it is difficult to throw his players into a team that is not in top form, with City failing to win any of their last five games.

"They are with us and I am so happy about what they did when they played and when they are in the locker room," he added. "Even when they went to play in the second team -- and it is not easy when normally you train with the first team and play with the second team -- the mentality is not good but they were really good. But I have to think about it.

"Young players have to be involved when the team is in a good moment -- the last five games we didn't win. To put three, four or five young guys in is not good because we have to protect them."

United are also struggling with just one win in their last six Premier League games and Sunday's 4-0 defeat to Chelsea being Jose Mourinho's worst result during his time in England.

Guardiola is expecting a tough test, though, saying: "I always expect the best from United. They lost the last weekend. With the quality and experience of Jose, and it is Man United, that means a lot.

"It is a physical team, really good counter-attack with [Marcus] Rashford and [Anthony] Martial and strength and quality in the middle. They are a top team. They are six points behind but six points is two games and we have seen what is the Premier League."

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