'No, I don't want Kevin to play!' - Prickly Pep Guardiola gives sarcastic response to De Bruyne rift reports as Man City boss admits Belgian midfielder 'won't solve our problems'

De Bruyne has only made four Premier League starts this season for Manchester City, while his last five appearances have all been off the bench after returning from injury. The Belgian's lack of meaningful minutes has led pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher to question the situation. Neville has claimed De Bruyne's lack of game time is "unusual, bizarre, strange" and Carragher has insisted "something is going on" between the pair at City.

De Bruyne is also facing an uncertain future at Manchester City. The 33-year-old is into the final year of his contract and has confirmed negotiations with the club have now been put on hold. It's therefore no surprise to see Guardiola quizzed on the current situation with De Bruyne, and the City boss has hit back, rather sarcastically, at claims he's fallen out with his midfield superstar.

He told reporters: "People say I've got a problem with Kevin. Do you think I like to not play with Kevin? No, I don't want Kevin to play. The guy who has the most talent in the final third. I don't want it. I have a personal problem with him after nine years together. He's delivered to me the biggest success to this club. But he's been five months injured and two months injured. He's 33-years-old. He needs time to find his best. Like last season, step by step. He'll try to do it and feel better. I'm desperate to have his best.

"I'd love to have the Kevin in his prime -- 26 or 27. He would love it too. But he is not 26 or 27 anymore. He had injuries in the past, important and long ones. He is a guy who needs to be physically fit for his space and energy. He played in 10 or 11 seasons a lot of games. I know he is desperate to help us, he gives glimpses of brilliance that only he can have. But always I said, he himself will not solve our problems. Like Erling [Haaland] won't solve it himself. We attack and defend together. We want the best players back. Hopefully step by step the confidence will come back and we'll get the best of all of us."

Manchester City have failed to score in their last two Premier League matches against Liverpool and Tottenham. They haven't gone three in a row without finding the back of the net since March 2008.

Manchester City take on Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Wednesday and will be aiming to end a run of four consecutive defeats in the English top flight.