'I'm not his dad' - Guardiola won't change much-loved Mendy

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola insists he will not crack down on Benjamin Mendy's prolific social media output as the French defender returns to action following a two-month injury layoff.

Mendy, who also missed most of last season due to a cruciate knee ligament injury, has become better known for his larger than life personality and fondness for Instagram and Twitter since moving to Manchester from Monaco for Pound 52 million in July 2017.

Earlier in the campaign, Guardiola encouraged the French World Cup winner to "forget a little bit the social media" to concentrate on his football.

However, the Catalan coach has admitted defeat in that battle and is embracing Mendy's much-loved character among his teammates.

"I'm not unhappy about Mendy," said Guardiola. "I'm not here to change his mentality because the way he lives is what it is. We knew that when we bought him.

"He's active on social media and it is what it is. We've tried to convince him but I'm not his father. I am delighted with Benjamin but sad because he couldn't play, injuries happen.

"But the way he trains, the way he is in the locker room, you cannot imagine how much the people love him and like to be with him.

"The only thing I want is that we can use him more. We focus on the job and what he has to do. He is young and has incredible potential and he can be one of the best left-backs, but it depends on him."
"It's not simply cross to cross, it's clever when he does these kinds of actions."
- De Bruyne to start -
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