Kevin de Bruyne’s Return Delayed Until Mid-November

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has provided an update regarding the status of midfielder Kevin de Bruyne. De Bruyne has been sidelined since sustaining a thigh injury during the Champions League match against Inter Milan on 18 September. While Guardiola initially anticipated De Bruyne’s return following the October international break, he has now pushed back the expected comeback to the middle of November. This extension comes as Guardiola acknowledged that the recovery process has proven “more complicated than City thought.” When questioned about the Belgian player’s return date, Guardiola stated: “I would like to tell you, I especially would like to know, but I don’t know.” Guardiola further elaborated on De Bruyne’s condition, saying: “He feels better to train but to go to the level we need for competition he still has pain.” He added a note of concern, stating: “If he doesn’t come back as quick as possible we will struggle. Hopefully that can happen after the international break.”