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Man City boss Guardiola: Otamendi and Fernandinho too old for regular football

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says Fernandinho and Nicolas Otamendi are too old to play every game.

Otamendi is the only healthy natural centre-back in the squad meaning Fernandinho, a regular midfielder, started in Wednesday's 3-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk.

But Guardiola says because of their age he will have to call upon Kyle Walker and Rodri to play minutes at centre-back.

"I didn't have doubts [Fernandinho] could do it," Guardiola said after City's win on Wednesday. "Nico is 31, Fernandinho is 34 and the next alternative (Eric Garcia) is 18. For three or four months I don't know what will happen.

"Both were incredible tonight. Nico showed incredible personality after what happened in the previous game.

"We need another solution -- Rodri or Kyle Walker maybe -- because they cannot play every game at their age."

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