Pep Guardiola says he’s “the happiest man on this planet” when Kevin De Bruyne shines – however the Manchester Metropolis supervisor can’t say whether or not the midfielder will keep on the membership when his contract expires on the finish of the season.
De Bruyne arrange Nico O’Reilly’s equaliser and scored Metropolis’s closing purpose of their 3-1 home win over second-tier Plymouth Argyle within the FA Cup fifth spherical on Saturday, performing as captain after beginning one and remaining an unused substitute for 2 of their final 5 Premier League video games.
“He’s one of many three-to-five finest gamers within the historical past of this membership, unquestionably,” Guardiola instructed ITV Sport after the seven-time winners of the competitors remained on target to succeed in the semi-finals for a seventh consecutive season.
“Each time he performs effectively, I’m the happiest man on this planet, I’m sorry to let you know. He gave many issues to the crew, to me. He performed actually, rather well right this moment.”
🗣️ “Each time [De Bruyne] performs effectively I’m the happiest man on this planet.”
Nothing however love for De Bruyne from Pep ❤️ #ITVFootball | #EmiratesFACup | 🎙️ @gabrielclarke05 pic.twitter.com/dhv06bY7Op
— ITV Soccer (@itvfootball) March 1, 2025
Kevin De Bruyne contract
Since becoming a member of Metropolis for a then-club document charge of £54.5 million from Wolfsburg in 2015, De Bruyne has received the Premier League six occasions, the Champions League as soon as, the FA Cup twice and the EFL Cup 5 occasions.
The Belgium playmaker signed his present deal as a two-year extension in 2021 however has struggled with accidents throughout latest seasons and struggled to recapture his finest kind in 2024/25.
Guardiola reiterated on Friday that De Bruyne’s future would rely upon talks between the 33-year-old and the membership, including after the victory over Argyle that “no one is aware of” whether or not this would be the two-time Premier League participant of the season’s closing marketing campaign at Etihad Stadium.
KDB 👑🩵 pic.twitter.com/yYMsPNdxH7
— Manchester Metropolis (@ManCity) March 1, 2025
Final summer time, De Bruyne stated he was “open to all the things” and spoke of the huge wealth on supply ought to he be part of the likes of former team-mate Aymeric Laporte within the Saudi Professional League.
“He’s had issues within the final year-and-a-half, like many gamers,” Guardiola stated earlier this season. “It’s about how he’s going to carry out for us till the top of the season. His age and people issues… the membership has to consider it.”
Man Metropolis FA Cup document
The Spaniard appeared to take a suggestion that the FA Cup is the one trophy Metropolis can win this season as a chance to defend his facet’s document within the competitors.
“No crew has been [so many] occasions in a row within the semi-finals,” he identified. “We’re going to see the draw and what occurs.”
Third-placed Nottingham Forest, who host Ipswich City within the fifth spherical on Monday (7.30pm), are the one crew in the next league place than Metropolis nonetheless concerned on this season’s FA Cup.
These two 🥰🩵 pic.twitter.com/XlM1IK9T04
— Manchester Metropolis (@ManCity) March 1, 2025
When is the FA Cup quarter-final draw 2025?
The draw will happen on Sunday, March 2 after Manchester United, who beat Metropolis within the 2023/24 closing, try to earn a 3rd win over Fulham this season when the Cottagers go to Outdated Trafford.
That sport begins at 4.30pm, so the earliest the draw might probably happen is round 6.30pm.
All ties from the primary spherical of the competitors should be settled on the day, so there might be further time and penalties if the rating stays degree, which might push the approximate time of the draw previous 7pm.
FA Cup quarter-final draw: TV channel, on-line stay stream
United vs Fulham is being proven by BBC Sport, which suggests the draw shall be screened on BBC One.
Followers can comply with the ceremony on-line and on the transfer through BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport web site, whereas the Soccer Affiliation’s on-line channels may even be carrying protection.
🩵 L E G E N D 🩵 pic.twitter.com/zvVl9YrOIm
— ITV Soccer (@itvfootball) March 1, 2025
FA Cup schedule: Quarter-final dates 2025
Listed here are the remainder of the dates on this season’s competitors.
Quarter-finals – weekend of Saturday, March 29
Semi-finals – weekend of Saturday, April 26
Remaining – Saturday, Might 17
FA Cup fifth spherical fixtures and TV schedule
Sunday, 2 March
Newcastle United v Brighton & Hove Albion (13:45 GMT) – ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Participant
Manchester United v Fulham (16:30 GMT) – BBC One and BBC iPlayer
Monday, 3 March
Nottingham Forest v Ipswich City (19:30 GMT) – ITV4 and ITVX
Sport. Set. Match.
Haaland tees up De Bruyne to ship Metropolis by way of to the quarterfinals of the FA Cup 🏆#ITVFootball | #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/DCBaJj9ruQ
— ITV Soccer (@itvfootball) March 1, 2025
FA Cup 2024/25 prize cash
Listed here are the figures printed by the FA for the way a lot the winners and losers obtain at varied levels.
Third spherical – winners £115,000 / losers £25,000
Fourth spherical – winners £120,000
Fifth spherical – winners £225,000
Quarter-final – winners £450,000
Semi-final – £1 million / £500,000
Remaining – £2m / £1m
