Pep Guardiola believes some Manchester City players will feel he makes "unfair" decisions if they are left out of the team.
Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero were left on the bench for Monday's 3-0 defeat of Wolves at the Etihad Stadium, moving City within four points of leaders Liverpool.
Both players came off the bench in the second half with De Bruyne's whipped cross deflecting in off Wolves captain Conor Coady, but Aguero had to watch his replacement Gabriel Jesus score a first-half brace.
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City are still competing in four competitions and Guardiola accepts he has to make difficult decisions over his team selection on a game-by-game basis.