Benjamin Mendy is still not fit enough to hold down a regular place in the Manchester City team, according to Pep Guardiola.
The Blues paid a record sum for a defender in 2017 to sign the Frenchman from Monaco but have seen him sidelined with problems for much of his time at the Etihad.
Serious injuries restricted him to just four league starts in his debut season, ten last year and he has only started five this term; for the biggest games of the season - Liverpool and United - former youth team player Angelino has been preferred in the starting line up and the defensive issues in the team were exposed in both defeats.
City’s manager explained after the derby loss that Angelino was picked because he is currently at a higher level than Mendy with the 25-year-old still struggling to find his rhythm.
With Aleks Zinchenko now back in contention after six weeks out injured, Mendy - one of the most expensive signings in City’s history - could find himself third choice in the pecking order at the club.
"He needs time," said Guardiola. "After two years injured, one week you are fit and one week you play so you need time.
"In that moment Angelino feels better and plays better than the other one in this position."
