Kevin de Bruyne’s return from injury could be a turning point in Manchester City’s season

IT took Kevin de Bruyne just 17 minutes to serve a reminder of his talent. Substituted on against Huddersfield Town in the second half of Sunday’s FA Cup third round tie, the Belgian made his return for Manchester City following four months out through injury and quickly produced an excellent assist. That’s what de Bruyne does.

City adapted admirably without de Bruyne. Julian Alvarez in particular did his best to fill the void left by the 32-year-old, but Pep Guardiola’s team is stronger with de Bruyne back involved. His return to fitness could be a turning point in Manchester City’s season. This might be the catalyst they need.

A run of just one win in six matches in November and December saw City drop off the pace being set at the top of the Premier League table with the defending champions currently five points behind Liverpool (albeit with a game in-hand). There have been more vulnerabilities in City’s performances than last season when they won an historic Treble.

Opponents have found it easier to get in behind Manchester City this season. Manuel Akanji has struggled to meet the standards he set for himself last term while summer signing Josko Gvardiol has endured a challenging start to life at the Etihad Stadium. A lot of City’s problems, however, have their root in midfield.

Guardiola has shuffled his pack in de Bruyne’s absence with Akanji, Mateo Kovacic, Rico Lewis, Matheus Nunes and Bernardo Silva all sharing minutes alongside Rodri in the centre of the pitch with Alvarez or Phil Foden usually deployed in a slightly more advanced role at the top of the midfield triangle.

These are all talented players, but none of them have the natural ability to dictate the pace and tempo of a match like de Bruyne. He is Manchester City’s beating heartbeat and he could now resuscitate their season. De Bruyne’s second half cameo against Huddersfield hinted at the impact he will make in the second half of the campaign.

Guess who’s back?! pic.twitter.com/WifHFPMP15

— Kevin De Bruyne (@KevinDeBruyne) January 7, 2024

“He played really good minutes,” Guardiola said when asked about de Bruyne’s performance off the bench on Sunday. “He needs to accumulate training sessions more than games. We are incredibly delighted he is back. Kevin helps to win games and there are few in the world. Win games; Kevin, [Erling] Haaland, these guys win games.”

Erling Haaland’s return to fitness will also boost Manchester City in their efforts to keep hold of the three trophies they won last season. The Norwegian, widely considered the best centre forward in world football right now, is a force of nature in and around the penalty box and City could use his goalscoring instincts to make the difference in matches.

De Bruyne, however, is the player around which Guardiola has constructed Manchester City over a number of seasons. Foden, Jack Grealish and Silva are all exceptional as midfield creators in their own right, but none of them compare to de Bruyne in the way he conducts so much of City’s game.

Guardiola still has to manage de Bruyne’s minutes as the Belgian continues his recovery from injury. In his own words, de Bruyne doesn’t expect to start many matches in the coming weeks. “I want to play every game but I know in the back of my mind I need to take care of myself,” he said after his appearance off the bench against Huddersfield.

The hope from City’s perspective, however, is surely that de Bruyne will be back as the team’s most influential player for the final few months of the season – for the final stretch of the Premier League title race which is shaping up to be the tightest in recent times. He might be a Manchester City legend, but de Bruyne can achieve even more.