Pep Guardiola hails ‘extraordinary’ Kevin De Bruyne after Man City exit news
Pep Guardiola feels Kevin De Bruyne’s glittering Manchester City career has been “extraordinary”.
The Belgium playmaker announced on Friday he would leave City when his contract expires at the end of the season.
In a glorious decade at the club, the 33-year-old has won 16 trophies, including six Premier Leagues and the Champions League, and scored 106 goals and made 174 assists in 413 appearances.
Yet after two seasons of declining returns due in no small part to injury problems, both club and player have come to an acceptance that the time is right to part ways.
City manager Guardiola said: “There are players who are unique, who represent what the club wants to be, and Kevin is one of them.”
Harry Latham-Coyle6 April 2025 12:45
I got lucky in previous wins over Manchester City, admits Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim feels fortune was on his side in previous meetings with Manchester City and knows Manchester United need to be more than “lucky” if he is to overcome Pep Guardiola for a third time this term.
Sunday’s Old Trafford clash is the most low-key derby in years, with the Red Devils 13th in the table and the previously all-conquering visitors fighting for a Champions League spot in fifth.
City won an unprecedented four Premier League titles in a row before struggling for coherency and consistency this season, with the nadir being a rotten end to 2024.
Amorim inflicted two of City’s nine defeats during a 12-game period, with November’s stunning 4-1 Champions League win with Sporting Lisbon followed by overseeing United’s 2-1 turnaround at the Etihad Stadium the following month.
Harry Latham-Coyle6 April 2025 12:30
United and City face off in lowest-calibre Manchester derby for decades
Derby day is always special in Manchester, but could this be the lowest-calibre meeting between these two for decades? Richard Jolly makes the case…
Harry Latham-Coyle6 April 2025 12:15
Man Utd vs Man City LIVE
Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of today’s Manchester derby in the Premier League.
City enter the game looking to consolidate a place in next season’s Champions League, while United are simply playing for pride as they start the weekend in 13th.
We’ll have all the latest team news and updates here.
Chris Wilson6 April 2025 12:00
