Kevin De Bruyne and Nico Gonzalez have been dropped by Pep Guardiola for Manchester City's FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.
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Playmaker on bench at WembleyMatheus starts after hitting winner against Aston VillaCity aiming to reach third successive finalFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The Belgian was absent from the starting XI for Sunday's game as City were bidding to reach a third successive FA Cup final. Nico Gonzalez was also left out of the team but Jack Grealish was included in Guardiola's team at Wembley.
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De Bruyne had started City's last five matches but was relegated to the bench against Nuno Espirito Santo's side. De Bruyne is leaving City in the summer after a trophy-laden decade at the Etihad Stadium and has admitted his sadness at being told by Guardiola and sporting director Txiki Begiristain that they did not want to offer him an extension on his contract, which expires in June.
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City will have to decide whether or not to agree a one-month extension with De Bruyne so that he can play the Club World Cup this summer. However, it is thought that the player will resist the offer in order to find a suitable club for next season.
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The winner of Sunday's game at Wembley will play Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final on May 17 after the Eagles destroyed Aston Villa 3-0 in Saturday's last-four tie.