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De Bruyne not fully fit ahead of Manchester derby

SOPA Images / LightRocket / Getty

Pep Guardiola isn't 100% sure that Kevin De Bruyne will be fully fit for Sunday's Manchester derby.

The Belgian playmaker sat out Manchester City's FA Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday in midweek due to a shoulder problem suffered during last Sunday's League Cup final. Manager Guardiola revealed Friday that De Bruyne is still trying to shake off that injury prior to the weekend trip to local rivals Manchester United.

"He's getting better. Tomorrow he's going to train. He's not perfect but he feels better," Guardiola told a news conference, according to Reuters.

"This morning with the physio he said he feels better. Not perfect."

United have their own fitness concerns ahead of Sunday's showdown. Captain Harry Maguire missed Thursday's FA Cup match at Derby County with an ankle injury picked up in training and could miss the derby. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James will also undergo late fitness tests before City's visit.

Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer complained about the lack of preparation and rest time between his team's win in Derby and the weekend affair.

"It's that help we get from the FA again - that extra 24 hours that they've had," Solskjaer said.

"I cannot believe why there's a derby on Sunday and we've got to play Thursday night. What's the point in that? That doesn't level the playing field."

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