Pep Guardiola has a theory on why his Manchester City squad aren't fit yet

Kevin De Bruyne has been ruled out until late November with a knee injury, while Claudio Bravo has had surgery this week on a damaged Achilles tendon

Pep Guardiola has declared that his Manchester City players are still not fit, despite two victories and eight goals from their opening two Premier League matches.

Guardiola’s side, having defeated Chelsea to win the Community Shield at the start of the month, then began the league title defence by beating Arsenal 2-0 and Huddersfield 6-1.

However, the manager has not been without problems, with midfielder Kevin de Bruyne and back-up goalkeeper Claudio Bravo both suffering long-term injuries in the past week.

De Bruyne has been ruled out until late November with a knee injury, while Bravo has had surgery this week on a damaged Achilles tendon.

Guardiola, whose side visit Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday, suggested a week ago that De Bruyne’s injury could have been the result of post-World Cup fatigue, having been involved with Belgium in Russia until the tournament’s final weekend.

He believes that his players are unlikely to reach their best form until after the September international break, arguing that the lack of a full pre-season has affected them badly.

He said: “The problem for us is we are not far away but we are still not fit. We see how much effort was spent by the players, normally the regeneration is quicker and they need more time because we didn't have a pre-season.

“Players still complain about muscular problems. That's why Claudio is out and Kevin and this week Fernandinho had a few problems with recovery after the win over Huddersfield but that is normal - we demand a lot.

“We are still not in the best condition, that's why we have to take points and hopefully after the international break we can be better and better.”

Guardiola, meanwhile, has ruled out signing an out-of-contract goalkeeper after losing Bravo.

Guardiola has watched his side start the season well (PA)

The manager has instead recalled Montenegro Under-21 international Aro Muric from a loan spell with Dutch club NAC Breda to provide cover for first-choice Ederson, having considered other options.

Bravo’s injury leaves City short of goalkeeping back-up, having sold Angus Gunn to Southampton in July and Joe Hart to Burnley in August.

With the English deadline for incoming transfers having passed on August 9, City were not in a position to bring in a goalkeeper from another club, although they could have signed a free agent and then asked the Premier League for permission to register him.

Former Liverpool and Crystal Palace goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri was understood to be one option, while Stuart Taylor, a one-time City back-up, was another.

However, Guardiola has decided that 19-year-old Muric and 20-year-old Daniel Grimshaw can act as cover for Ederson, despite their lack of experience.

Bravo's injury has left City short of options (Getty Images)

Grimshaw has never played a senior game, while Muric’s only first-team exposure was the one Dutch league match he played for NAC before his loan was cut short.

Asked if he would sign a free agent, Guardiola said: “No. From the beginning, Aro was our option.

“We know him and he trained with us all last season. We loaned him out because second-team football here is not a real competition, you know my opinion on that.

“We want to see him play every weekend but after what happened with Claudio, the first option was bring him back, because the window was closed, so we had no other option.

“Aro and Grimmy, with Ederson will be our three goalkeepers.”