Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has told Kevin De Bruyne to talk to him if he has a problem.
The Belgian midfielder was visibly upset after being substituted in City’s 9-0 Carabao Cup win over Burton last week.
He stormed straight down the tunnel after being hauled off in the 58th minute, with City 5-0 up against their League One opponents.
De Bruyne has been restricted to just one Premier League start this season due to two serious knee injuries.
Guardiola said: “I didn’t speak with him so that one time I cannot say what he thinks because I don’t know.
“If he has a problem, he knows where I am, so I don’t know, really.”
De Bruyne could keep his place in City’s starting XI when they host in-form Wolves on Monday evening.
Wolves’ midfield maestro Ruben Neves has been linked with a big money move to the Etihad Stadium in recent months.
But while Guardiola wants to strengthen his central midfield options, Neves’ huge price tag draws a line under any potential deal.
The ex-Barcelona manager added: “A month ago I started reading ‘Ruben Neves, £100million’.
“That is not going to happen. We are not going to pay £100million for a holding midfielder.
“We have a limit and cannot spend more so that’s why we need to be careful with the players and try next season to see what we can do to improve.
“He’s an excellent player. It involves playing with two holding midfielders – not just one – but he’s an excellent player.”
