Friday 21 October 2016 19:11, UK
Pep Guardiola says he has no intention of allowing Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany to leave Manchester City.
Aguero was given a watching brief for the majority of Wednesday's 4-0 Champions League defeat at Barcelona, coming off the substitute's bench for the final 11 minutes, while Kompany was left out entirely from the match day squad.
Reports in the national press on Friday suggested the pair could leave the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season, but a defiant Guardiola rejected those claims and insisted both remain firmly part of his plans.
"I think I took decisions with my plans and my plans for Vincent and Sergio Aguero are that they have a future at Manchester City," the City boss said.
"Vincent Kompany was not fit, was not perfectly fit. That's why we took a decision. Normally Vincent Kompany is on the bench. He was not fit.
"Respect to Sergio Aguero - it was a decision, a tactical decision. I wanted one more midfield player in the middle with Kevin De Bruyne.
"I spoke with Sergio about that, he was so understanding. He helped us a lot from the bench in the last minutes.
"I thought in the last minutes, when the game was close, in the last 30 minutes when the central defenders of Barcelona are tired - that was when Sergio could have helped us a lot. That was the reason why.
"I am sorry, when Sergio decides to leave Manchester City, it will be his decision. I appreciate like a football player and like a man what he did here.
"Next time before you give this opinion you can call me before you decide he's not in my plans, you can call me before you write he's not in my plans."
Guardiola also backed goalkeeper Claudio Bravo to bounce-back from the red card he received on his return to the Nou Camp.
Bravo was given his marching orders shortly after half-time for a deliberate handball with City trailing 1-0.
"I know from the beginning that when Claudio makes mistakes they make the papers. Claudio has to fight," Guardiola added.
"Until the first goal when Fernandinho slipped the game was under control and we were playing really well. But it's a good lesson.
"When we have the ball and arrive in the box we need to be more aggressive. When you have a man sent off, it's about surviving.
"To become a good journalist you need time - same in my case. If you think after three months we are going to dominate Barca then…"
Leaders City could find themselves in fourth place by the time they kick-off against Southampton at the Etihad Stadium on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 12.30pm, but will regain top spot with a victory.
City are without a victory in their last four matches in all competitions, but Guardiola said: "I'm thinking about Saints. I watched the Inter game. Saints played amazing. It will be tough, but of course we need to win again."
