Man City Captain Kevin De Bruyne Suffers Injury Setback Against Burnley

Manchester City captain Kevin De Bruyne suffered an injury setback 20 minutes into his team's first Premier League game of the season.

De Bruyne started away at Burnley on Friday and provided an excellent pre-assist to help Erling Haaland fire City 1-0 up after just 183 seconds.

But the Belgian midfielder later limped off the field midway through the first half.

De Bruyne was substituted and replaced by summer signing Mateo Kovacic.

Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne pictured looking dejected after being forced off the field with an injury on the opening day of the 2023/24 EPL season

IMAGO/PA Images/Mike Egerton

It was not immediately clear whether De Bruyne had suffered a recurrence of the hamstring injury he sustained in last season's Champions League final or if this was a new issue.

But City boss Pep Guardiola confirmed after the match - which City won 3-0 - that De Bruyne had indeed injured his hamstring again.

Guardiola said: "He was injured again unfortunately. Same place and position as the Champions League and he will be out for a while."

De Bruyne had headed straight for the locker room after leaving the pitch.

He did not receive much sympathy from the home supporters.

A group of Burnley fans were heard chanting "you soft b***ard" as De Bruyne made his exit.