Kevin de Bruyne hobbles off injured just 22 minutes into season in huge Man City title blow

KEVIN DE BRUYNE has hobbled off after just 22 minute in Manchester City’s opening Premier League clash away at Burnley.

The City midfielder had been a doubt going into the game after spending the summer recovering from a hamstring tear he suffered in last year’s Champions League final.

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De Bruyne was withdrawn early in the game against Burnley[/caption]

He was replaced by new City signing Matteo Kovacic in the 23rd minute with the Cityzens 1-0 up against Burnley courtesy of a fourth minute Haaland goal.

The Belgian pulled up suffering from discomfort in the 20th minute and was immediately consoled by Haaland and Bernardo Silva as he crouched down.

De Bruyne, who was captaining City on the night, handed the armband to Kyle Walker as he trudged off the pitch.

It’s unclear exactly what the injury is of yet but it seems likely to be a reoccurence of the hamstring issue that forced De Bruyne off early in City’s Champions League final against Inter Milan.

Sky Sports co-commentator Jamie Carragher said: “You hope it’s not the hamstring issue from the Champions League final because if it’s a recurring injury, then it gets even worse.

“If it’s a new injury, then it’s simply bad luck. We’ve seen that quality he’s shown us already, but here’s the new man from Chelsea, Mateo Kovacic.”

City had struck early through a sublime early effort from Haaland – who wasted no time in trying to repeat last season’s golden boot heroics.

He then doubled his, and City’s season total with a second goal after 36 minutes.

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The Norwegian was assisted by World-Cup winner Julian Alvarez for his second goal in pretty much as many touches.

It’s so far been a miserable start for Vincent Kompany and Burnley, with the Belgian manager coming face to face with Pep for his second time as a manager.

He will be hoping to avoid a repeat of last year’s 6-0 drubbing in the quarter-final of the FA Cup.

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