Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has defended his management of Raheem Sterling.

Following the news that Sterling may be prepared to Manchester City in search of regular football, Guardiola said he cannot "assure" players of how much they will play.

"I cannot assure how many minutes players are going to play, they have to show it on the grass," he said.

"That is the best moment, not for Raheem, for all of them.

"They are all involved. What I want for Raheem and for everyone is to be happy. They have to be satisfied, and if they are not, they are free to make decisions that are best for them, their family and everyone who loves them.

"As a football player, they all want to play 90 minutes, but I cannot assure them, they have to prove it in training."