Pep Guardiola believes a lack of rest may have contributed to the knee injury of Kevin de Bruyne.

De Bruyne will be out three months but won't need surgery.

"Like the doctor said, it will be two to three months, hopefully he can do as much as possible to get back and help us again," Guardiola told a news conference.

"It will be a big miss like last season with Benjamin Mendy. Last season Kevin was outstanding in all terms and of course for him and his family you never want this but you accept it's part of the game.

"It's especially part of the game for the players -- it's normal, they don't rest. It's a tough season, short recovery, they say let's go and we are in the competition. Human beings have a limit and sometimes these things happen."