Claudio Bravo may have played his last City game as Gary Neville urges Pep Guardiola to discard injured Chilean

Neville was quick to call time on Bravo’s City career as the Chilean was carried off on a stretcher in the 79th minute after suffering what appeared to be a calf strain

Samuel Lovett
Friday 28 April 2017 08:08 BST
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Bravo receives treatment after sustaining an injury to his calf
Bravo receives treatment after sustaining an injury to his calf (Getty)

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Manchester City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo could miss the remaining five games of the season after sustaining an injury in Thursday's 0-0 Premier League draw with rivals United, raising doubts of his long-term future at the club following a miserable first term.

Former United defender Gary Neville was quick to call time on Bravo’s City career as the Chilean was carried off on a stretcher in the 79th minute after suffering what appeared to be a calf strain.

Neville, who has publicly criticised the ‘keeper before, questioned why the 34-year-old required a stretcher before suggesting that the former Barcelona player has no future at the Etihad.

“A stretcher for a calf strain... please. Oh come on,” Neville said, as the keeper was carried off.

He continued, lightly chuckling: “He'd not done anything for 20, 25 minutes, he'd not been involved and then he's leaped with his left leg for that catch from the last corner.

“I'm not quite sure why there's a stretcher on. It's a calf strain. Am I missing something? You don't need a stretcher on for a calf strain. Please.

“He kicked the ball forward after that. Come on. I apologise if he hasn't got a calf strain.”

Afterwards, however, Neville was far more forthcoming with his words as he urged City manager Pep Guardiola to be “ruthless” in his handling with the Chilean.

"When I see a goalkeeper like that behind you, it just sends that anxiety and nerves throughout the stadium,” the pundit said.

“He looks a little bit unsettled, he doesn't look right. I don't think he can be here next year. I think Pep has got to be ruthless, brutal."

Guardiola confirmed after the game that Bravo would likely be unavailable for City’s remaining five games.

"Of course he has an injury, probably for some weeks," the Catalan said. "I don't know if he will be available again this season."

Fourth-placed City, a point and a place above United, travel to relegation-threatened Middlesbrough on Sunday in their next game.

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