Premier League LIVE: De Bruyne speaks on future as Man City boost Champions League hopes, Guardiola to ‘take break’ after leaving club

Manchester United and Tottenham have positioned themselves for a potential all-English Europa League final in Spain after both clubs secured victories in their respective semi-final first legs. The prospect of this matchup carries extra significance as both teams are currently languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table, making European qualification through league placement increasingly unlikely. The Europa League winner’s automatic qualification for next season’s Champions League represents a lifeline for both struggling giants.

Meanwhile, Manchester City, under the guidance of departing manager Pep Guardiola, have regained momentum in their domestic campaign with a crucial 1-0 victory over in-form Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday night. This result has propelled the Citizens back into third place as they look to secure Champions League football for next season.

In a tightly contested match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City managed to overcome a resilient Wolverhampton Wanderers side that had been enjoying a remarkable six-match winning streak in the Premier League. Kevin De Bruyne, who recently announced his impending departure from the club, proved to be the difference-maker once again, scoring the only goal of the game.

The Belgian maestro’s strike not only secured all three points for City but also served as a poignant reminder of what the club will be losing at the season’s end. De Bruyne’s goal continues his impressive record against Wolves, having now been directly involved in 11 goals in 10 Premier League appearances against the Midlands club (6 goals, 5 assists). This record ties him with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah for the most goal involvements against Wolves in top-flight history.

Despite dominating possession, particularly in the second half where they controlled over 75% of the ball between the 60th and 75th minutes, City were made to work hard for their victory. Wolves were unfortunate not to score, hitting the post twice and having one effort cleared off the line in what was a spirited performance from Gary O’Neil’s side.

The match highlighted City’s resilience and tactical discipline, traits that have been hallmarks of Guardiola’s tenure at the club. As the Spanish manager prepares for his final games at the Etihad, his side continues to display the qualities that have made them perennial contenders during his illustrious reign.

Following the match against Wolves, Kevin De Bruyne spoke candidly about his impending departure from Manchester City. The 33-year-old Belgian international, who has been instrumental in City’s success over the past decade, addressed his future in an interview with Sky Sports.

“I try to play as much good football as I can,” De Bruyne stated. “I know that I only have one home game left but I just try to do my job, and that’s what I did today.”

The midfielder revealed that several teammates have expressed sadness regarding his decision to leave, adding, “A lot of teammates have said that it’s sad I have to go too, but that’s just how it goes sometimes in life.”

Despite uncertainty surrounding his next destination, De Bruyne remains confident in his abilities to continue performing at the highest level. “I don’t know what the future will be, but I know that I can still play here,” he asserted, suggesting that his departure is not due to declining abilities but perhaps other factors yet to be disclosed.

The Belgian also emphasized his continued commitment to Manchester City for the remainder of the season: “I am still enjoying it, and we still have a job to do. It was a hard game today but we found the way to win. Now we can just relax a bit and see what the other teams do.”

De Bruyne’s performance against Wolves further underlined his enduring quality. With this goal, he has now scored 30 Premier League goals since turning 30, with only Yaya Touré and Sergio Agüero (41 each) having scored more for Manchester City after reaching that age milestone.

The midfielder’s lap around the Etihad pitch following the final whistle held emotional significance, as he prepares for his penultimate home appearance in City colors. His contributions to the club have been immeasurable, helping to transform them into a dominant force both domestically and in Europe.

Reports continue to circulate regarding Pep Guardiola’s intentions following his departure from Manchester City at the season’s end. Sources close to the Spanish tactician suggest he plans to “take a break” from management rather than immediately taking on another role.

This decision would mirror Guardiola’s approach after leaving Barcelona in 2012, when he took a year-long sabbatical before accepting the Bayern Munich position. During his time at Manchester City, Guardiola has established himself as one of the greatest managers in Premier League history, revolutionizing the English game with his distinctive possession-based philosophy and attention to tactical detail.

His touchline presence was felt during the Wolves match, with cameras capturing his characteristic animated gestures and instructions to players. As he approaches his final games at the helm of Manchester City, speculation will undoubtedly increase regarding potential future destinations once his planned break concludes.

In other significant Premier League-adjacent news, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly put French club OGC Nice up for sale. This decision comes as Ratcliffe continues to restructure his sporting portfolio following his substantial investment in Manchester United.

The British billionaire, who acquired a 25% stake in Manchester United in February for £1.25 billion, appears to be streamlining his football investments to focus on the rebuilding project at Old Trafford. The decision to divest from Nice, which Ratcliffe purchased through his INEOS company in 2019, signals his commitment to addressing the numerous challenges facing the Red Devils.

This move aligns with Premier League regulations regarding multi-club ownership, which impose strict limitations on individuals or entities with controlling interests in multiple top-tier clubs. By selling Nice, Ratcliffe is ensuring full compliance with these regulations while also generating additional capital that could potentially be reinvested into Manchester United’s ongoing transformation.

In a development that will interest both Manchester United and Aston Villa supporters, Marcus Rashford might not have played his last game for Villa this season after all. The England international, who joined Villa on loan in January after falling out of favor at Old Trafford, had been sidelined with a hamstring injury that appeared to have ended his campaign prematurely.

However, Villa manager Unai Emery has offered a more optimistic assessment of Rashford’s recovery timeline. While confirming that the forward will miss Saturday’s fixture against Fulham, Emery expressed hope that Rashford could return before the season concludes.

“For tomorrow, he is not available,” Emery stated in his pre-match press conference. “He is working on his comeback as soon as possible, but it is still weeks to be available or not with us for the rest of the season.”

The Spanish manager added: “Of course, there are four weeks and hopefully he will play with us in one or two matches.”

When questioned about Rashford’s potential permanent future at Villa Park, Emery remained focused on immediate objectives: “Tomorrow, Fulham. We don’t want to finish the season. We don’t want a holiday. We want to play. Hopefully, he can help us. Of course, he’s recovering with us here. I want to see him happy. Play, get our objective and then, of course, we will speak about everything.”

Rashford’s loan spell at Villa has produced mixed results, with flashes of his undoubted talent interspersed with inconsistent performances. Nevertheless, his recovery could provide Villa with a significant boost as they pursue European qualification.

The Premier League action continues this weekend with a full slate of fixtures across gameweek 35:

Friday, May 2

• Manchester City 1-0 Wolves (Completed)

Saturday, May 3

• 12:30: Aston Villa vs Fulham – talkSPORT exclusive
• 15:00: Everton vs Ipswich
• 15:00: Leicester vs Southampton – talkSPORT 2 exclusive
• 17:30: Arsenal vs Bournemouth

Sunday, May 4

• 14:00: Brentford vs Manchester United
• 14:00: Brighton vs Newcastle
• 14:00: West Ham vs Tottenham
• 16:30: Chelsea vs Liverpool

Arsenal’s Saturday evening clash with Bournemouth takes on enormous significance in the context of the title race. The Gunners currently sit second in the table, knowing that any slip-up could prove fatal to their championship aspirations. Mikel Arteta’s men have shown remarkable consistency in recent months, but the pressure of the run-in presents a different kind of challenge altogether.

Bournemouth, under the guidance of Andoni Iraola, have exceeded expectations this season with their progressive, high-intensity style of play. The Cherries have already claimed several notable scalps this campaign and will travel to the Emirates Stadium unburdened by pressure, making them potentially dangerous opponents for an Arsenal side with everything to lose.

With Manchester City having already secured three points against Wolves, the onus is now on Arsenal to respond. The mental fortitude of Arteta’s squad will be tested as they attempt to maintain pace in what has developed into one of the most compelling title races in recent Premier League history.

Sunday’s late fixture sees Liverpool travel to Chelsea in what promises to be a fascinating encounter between two of English football’s traditional powerhouses. The Reds have experienced a campaign of transition under new management following Jürgen Klopp’s departure, but remain in contention for Champions League qualification.

Chelsea, meanwhile, continue their project of integrating young talent with established stars under their own new coaching setup. The Blues have shown flashes of brilliance interspersed with frustrating inconsistency, a pattern that has characterized their recent seasons.

This fixture historically produces entertaining, high-scoring affairs, and Sunday’s edition could prove pivotal in determining European placements for next season. With both teams possessing formidable attacking talent but occasionally suspect defensive units, neutrals will be anticipating an open, attacking contest at Stamford Bridge.

Beyond the title race, the battle for European qualification continues to provide compelling narratives. With Manchester United and Tottenham potentially securing Champions League football through Europa League success, the conventional qualification spots through league position take on added complexity.

Newcastle United, who travel to Brighton on Sunday, harbor ambitions of returning to Europe’s elite competition after their brief taste last season. Eddie Howe’s side have overcome a mid-season injury crisis to put themselves back in contention, demonstrating the depth and resilience that has characterized their development under their current management team.

Aston Villa, who host Fulham on Saturday, represent one of the season’s success stories. Unai Emery has transformed the Midlands club into genuine contenders for Champions League qualification, implementing a tactical framework that maximizes their attacking potential while maintaining structural solidity. Their fixture against Fulham represents another opportunity to consolidate their impressive position.

At the opposite end of the table, the battle for Premier League survival reaches a critical juncture this weekend. Ipswich Town, who gained promotion from the Championship last season, face a crucial trip to Everton in what could prove decisive for their survival hopes. Kieran McKenna’s side have earned plaudits for their progressive style of play, but now require points rather than praise to extend their Premier League stay.

Similarly, Leicester’s home fixture against Southampton represents a genuine six-pointer in the relegation context. Both clubs have endured challenging campaigns despite pre-season optimism, and defeat for either could have catastrophic implications for their Premier League status.

For Nottingham Forest, Monday’s trip to Crystal Palace offers an opportunity to distance themselves from immediate danger. Forest have shown resilience under pressure in recent weeks, picking up valuable points against fellow strugglers. However, Palace’s resurgence under their management team presents a significant

Manchester United’s difficult domestic campaign shows little sign of improvement as they prepare to face Brentford on Sunday. Despite their European progress, United’s league form has been disappointingly inconsistent, with defensive fragility and attacking inefficiency undermining their performances.

The Red Devils’ trip to the Gtech Community Stadium represents another potential banana skin, with Thomas Frank’s well-organized Brentford side historically proving troublesome opponents for the traditional “Big Six” clubs. United’s ability to balance their European commitments with domestic recovery will be severely tested as the season enters its final phase.

As the 2024/25 Premier League season approaches its climax, compelling narratives abound across the table. From Manchester City’s emotional farewell to Kevin De Bruyne and Pep Guardiola, to Arsenal’s title charge, the European qualification battle, and the desperate fight for survival, every fixture carries significant implications.

The next four weeks promise drama, heartbreak, and jubilation in equal measure as the world’s most watched league reaches its conclusion. For players, managers, and supporters alike, the pressure and intensity will only increase as the remaining games decrease, setting the stage for a memorable conclusion to another remarkable Premier League season.

Stay tuned to talkSPORT for comprehensive coverage of all the action, reaction, and analysis as the Premier League drama unfolds across the coming weeks.

This article was written by the talkSPORT team. For more Premier League news, exclusive interviews, and expert analysis, download the talkSPORT app or visit talkSPORT.com.