Man City give Kevin De Bruyne injury update after substitution vs Manchester United

Pep Guardiola says there is no lasting injury concern with Kevin De Bruyne after his substitution for Manchester City in their derby win over Manchester United.

De Bruyne's first-half brace had put City in control, and the Belgian was at his brilliant best to set up Riyad Mahrez from a corner in the second half. He was substituted before Mahrez added a fourth just before full-time after taking a kick and appearing to limp back to the bench.

Asked after the game, Guardiola confirmed the substitution was to avoid any further injury to his star man, but played down any suggestion of the problem becoming a longer-term issue.

ALSO READ: De Bruyne admits Man United surprised Man City in derby demolition

"A little bit there but it's not a problem," Guardiola said of De Bruyne's thigh complaint.

"He made an incredible effort playing lots of minutes, not in Peterborough but he's back at his best. He struggled playing with pain in the beginning of the season. He's back to his best, strong, I'm so delighted he's back scoring goals."

With De Bruyne scoring his 50th and 51st Premier League goals, he took his tally to 10 goals and eight assists in all competitions this season, and he is on course to surpass his best ever goalscoring season in 2019/20.

Guardiola said De Bruyne's form in front of goal was inspired by a chat he had with the Belgian about not just focussing on getting assists.

"Always I said to him, 'You are just focussed on assists'," Guardiola revealed.

"That's okay but I say, 'You have to score goals, win game'. This season he's scoring lots of goals and can hopefully stay fit."

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