‘We could not take risks’ - Pep Guardiola explains Rodri absence for Man City against Man Utd

Pep Guardiola has said Rodri missed the Manchester derby due to ‘niggles’ in his leg.

The Manchester City midfielder was a surprise omission when the teams were announced for the game against Manchester United on Sunday.

Guardiola didn’t name Rodri when listing his injured players during Friday’s press conference, but he explained it was a problem picked up on Saturday that has caused the 26-year-old to sit out the derby.

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the game, Guardiola said: "Yesterday in the training session he felt something, a little bit more than niggles in his leg and we could not take risks with this tough schedule [ahead].

"Yeah it is [a big loss],” he added. “Kalvin [Phillips] is injured as well but one of the successes a big club has is the fact that excuses don’t exist. It happens, we have [Ilkay] Gundogan."

City are light on options in the middle ahead if a busy six weeks for the club. Phillips underwent surgery during the international on a recurring shoulder issue and is expected to be out for a few weeks at least.

It leaves Guardiola with three real midfield options: Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne, and it was that trio which was selected to face United at the Etihad Stadium.

City will hope Rodri is available for Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Copenhagen. The Spaniard had started all seven Premier League matches this season prior to the United game, and is one of Guardiola’s most trusted players.