Pep Guardiola took aim at Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher after the pundits claimed a rift had developed between the Manchester City manager and star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.

De Bruyne has featured for just 72 minutes over five substitute appearances since returning from a lengthy pelvic injury last month - and conspiracy theories about his situation were suggested in the aftermath of Sunday’s defeat at Liverpool.

Carragher said on Sky Sports that ‘something isn’t right between those two’ and Neville vaguely offered that ‘something is definitely going on in the dressing room’. 

Gary Lineker and Micah Richards discussed similar alongside Alan Shearer on their podcast ‘The Rest is Football’.

Guardiola hit back by ridiculing the notion that the pair were not seeing eye-to-eye before City head into Wednesday's must-win home clash with Nottingham Forest after a run of four straight league defeats.

‘People say I’ve got a problem with Kevin,’ the City boss said. ‘Do you think I like to not play with Kevin?’

Guardiola continued sarcastically: ‘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.’

The 33-year-old has been cautious over his return from the most recent issue - and City are mindful of the accumulation of injuries after he missed five months following hamstring surgery last year.

‘He’s delivered the biggest successes to this club,’ Guardiola added. ’I’d love to have the Kevin in his prime, 26 or 27. He would love it to. 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 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 know he is desperate to help us, he gives glimpses of brilliance that only he can do.’

Guardiola also insisted that City would be battling with Arne Slot’s Liverpool had they not suffered an injury crisis this term - and wants his attacking players to offer more help to 12-goal Erling Haaland.

‘I’m desperate for five goals and assists from (Phil) Foden after last season,’ he said. ’Five for Kevin, goals and assists from Jeremy (Doku), goals and assists from Jack (Grealish), from Savinho or Gundo.

‘Five goals and assists (each) from these (players). Not 20, 30 or 40. Just five goals and assists from these players and we’d be top of the league. 

'Why hasn’t it happened? They were not here. They were injured. They weren’t ready. This is the bigger problem I have.’