Kevin De Bruyne's angry reaction can boost Man City amid transfer question

Wherever he looks, Kevin De Bruyne sees pressure.

Pressure to make up for lost time with Manchester City after his five month injury. Pressure to finally win something with Belgium. Pressure to do the right thing about his future.

The first and third can be parked for now with Belgium's stuttering Euro 2024 campaign taking priority. De Bruyne was quiet in their defeat to Slovakia, brilliant against Romania and then angry against Ukraine. The latter two group games could be good news for City when it comes to persuading him to stay for at least another year.

Belgium have flattered to deceive in Germany so far, but De Bruyne has predictably been one of their shining lights. The problem is he cannot do it all alone, so when Romelu Lukaku struggles to stay onside and Jeremy Doku's output isn't quite on the same wavelength as his teammates, De Bruyne's frustration is clear.

ALSO READ: Incoming Man City signing planning for life in England as transfer uncertainty continues

ALSO READ: Man City could repeat £14m transfer masterstroke in rush to build squad for 2024/25

City have seen angry De Bruyne plenty of times before and often used it to their advantage. He felt criticism of his performances earlier this year were unfair and often turns on the quality when the cheeks get red and a game needs someone to step up. Belgium will hope for a similar impact when they take on France in the last-16.

But De Bruyne's frustrations appeared to turn on the Belgium supporters on Wednesday when they were critical of their team's performance against Ukraine, settling for a draw late on rather than push for a winner that would have seen them top their group. Their route to the final could now see them face France, then Portugal, then Spain