Pep Guardiola has indicated France defender Benjamin Mendy has a long-term future at Manchester City despite concerns over his off-field behaviour.
The left-back, who has played just 27 minutes of football since November while struggling to recover from a knee injury, was filmed in a Manchester nightclub at 3:30 am last Saturday.
Guardiola has in the past made clear his frustrations with Mendy, who has been beset by injury problems since joining City from Monaco for ?52 million ($68 million) in 2017.
The manager had strong words with the Frenchman in September after he was nearly three hours late for a treatment session, having attended an Anthony Joshua boxing bout in London the previous evening.
In February, Mendy caused his manager more irritation by claiming in an Instagram post that he was in Hong Kong, without his manager's permission, although the defender later clarified the post by saying he was joking.
Guardiola has suggested previously that he is considering signing another left-back before the start of next season, having been short of options in that area because of Mendy's injury.
But if the defender can stay fit and play consistently well then Guardiola is likely to give him opportunities.
- Left-back shortage -
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"It's not the first time that one guy goes to dinner outside because he doesn't have a game, and goes with his brother and his friend, to eat something, to drink something. It's not the first time and it will not be the last one, so it is what it is."
"Dancing? I don't know if he danced," Guardiola said. "Really, I don't know. I was not there. But from what I saw sometimes with his celebrations in the Premier League, he's not a bad dancer. Really not."
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