'Another one' - Pep Guardiola explains Manuel Akanji and Ilkay Gundogan Man City decision

Pep Guardiola left two big-name players out of his Manchester City squad against Tottenham amid transfer speculation surrounding the pair

Pep Guardiola explained the reasons for leaving Manuel Akjanji and Ilkay Gundogan out of the team against Tottenham

Manchester City duo Manuel Akanji and Ilkay Gundogan were left out of the squad against Tottenham due to rotation rather than the fact they could both leave the club next week, according to Pep Guardiola.

The City boss is facing up to some difficult selection decisions with a larger squad than usual at his disposal and with Rodri and Phil Foden returning from their rest against Wolves, it was inevitable two players would have to drop out of the matchday squad.

That it was centre-back Akanji and midfielder Gundogan who made way came as no surprise. Galatasaray want to sign Akanji and several clubs are interested in a deal for Gundogan.

City are open to selling both players, with Guardiola desperate to reduce the size of his squad. With just over a week to go of the transfer window several senior players could yet depart.

Guardiola again referred to his bigger squad when asked about the reasons for leaving Akanji and Gundogan out, but insisted the decision was based on rotation rather than any potential departures.

"Rodri and Phil were out last week. I said many times with a deeper squad I have to rotate and the next game it’ll be another one. I try to keep everyone involved and no more serious than that," said Guardiola.

City's 2-0 defeat to Spurs punctured the optimism that came from last week's 4-0 win at Wolves, but Guardiola was ready to take the rough with the smooth and said he pointed out improvements were needed after the success against Molineux.

"The game against Spurs this season [compared to last season] is man marking, like Brentford, you have to play in a different way," he said.

"We missed the simple things. The effort and running is extraordinary and I have no doubts about that. It’s been really good. But we missed the simple things, read better what we should do. We created chances, we created enough.

"It happened, it’s football. It’s just the second game. The last game vs Wolves everyone said everything was fine but I said it’s just the first game. it’s the same now.

"We have to improve. Step by step until we make it click and the good connections… we have seven days rest and then Brighton."

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