+18 or +21, depending on state | Commercial Content | T&C's Apply | Play Responsibly | Publishing Principles
This page contains affiliate links. When you purchase through the links provided, we may earn a commission.
Manchester City FC v Aston Villa FC - Premier LeagueGetty Images Sport

Kevin De Bruyne snubbed! Pep Guardiola leaves Belgian out of Man City line-up for FA Cup semi-final vs Nottingham Forest as Nico Gonzalez also dropped for Wembley showdown

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

  • Playmaker on bench at Wembley
  • Matheus starts after hitting winner against Aston Villa
  • City aiming to reach third successive final
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    The Belgian was absent from the starting XI for Sunday's game as City were bidding to reach a third successive FA Cup final. Nico Gonzalez was also left out of the team but Jack Grealish was included in Guardiola's team at Wembley.

  • Advertisement
  • kevin-de-bruyne(C)Getty Images

    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    De Bruyne had started City's last five matches but was relegated to the bench against Nuno Espirito Santo's side. De Bruyne is leaving City in the summer after a trophy-laden decade at the Etihad Stadium and has admitted his sadness at being told by Guardiola and sporting director Txiki Begiristain that they did not want to offer him an extension on his contract, which expires in June.

  • DID YOU KNOW?

    City will have to decide whether or not to agree a one-month extension with De Bruyne so that he can play the Club World Cup this summer. However, it is thought that the player will resist the offer in order to find a suitable club for next season.

  • ENJOYED THIS STORY?

    Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

  • Crystal Palace v Aston Villa - Emirates FA Cup Semi FinalGetty Images Sport

    WHAT NEXT?

    The winner of Sunday's game at Wembley will play Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final on May 17 after the Eagles destroyed Aston Villa 3-0 in Saturday's last-four tie.