De Bruyne, Bailly out of Manchester derby

MANCHESTER CITY midfielder Kevin De Bruyne will miss the League Cup game against Manchester United tonight after suffering a knock to the calf, manager Pep Guardiola said.

The 25-year-old sustained the injury during City’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Southampton on Sunday. But Guardiola was more optimistic about Vincent Kompany’s availability for today’s derby after the Belgian international made his first league start since April against Southampton.

“Pablo (Zabaleta) I think cannot play against United. Vincent (Kompany), I think he can, but I need to see training and regeneration,” said Guardiola.

Sunday’s stalemate against Southampton marked City’s fifth consecutive winless game after a blistering start to the campaign. The former Barcelona manager said he will ring in the changes against United at Old Trafford.

Jose Mourinho will seek a quick response from United after a 4-0 humiliation at Chelsea in the league on Sunday, but Guardiola said he remained wary of United’s threat.

City have seen their lead at the top of the Premier League evaporate and are ahead of Arsenal and Liverpool only on goal difference. They also trail Barcelona by five points in their Champions League group after three games.

De Bruyne said the Spaniard has made it clear there was no place at the club for players who cannot adjust to his system. “You just need to adapt otherwise you won’t fit in. And if you don’t fit in then you will have to go somewhere else,” De Bruyne added.

United defender Eric Bailly has been ruled out for eight weeks with a knee injury. – Reuters Tonight: Southampton v Sunderland, West Ham v Chelsea