Pep Guardiola admits Manchester City may have got lucky at the back last week – but is not "crying" over his lack of defensive options.

City are currently utilising midfielder Fernandinho as a makeshift centre-half as John Stones and Aymeric Laporte are both out injured.

Since former captain Vincent Kompany left the club at the end of the last season, the champions have been light in the position, and Nicolas Otamendi is now the only fit senior specialist.

"The best way is step by step for the players (because) the demand for the club is not (just) win the Champions League, but be there all the time in four competitions.

"The talent is there and when they have talent they will play, but at the same time we have to compete every single day to fight with the best teams in England and Europe.

"For that, we need the David Silvas, Kevin De Bruynes, Sergio Agueros, Fernandinhos and all these type of players.

"The young players can help the other ones but it is not possible (to rely on them too much)."