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Manchester City defender Jason Denayer 'regrets' kicking man in the head in Brussels fight

The defender, who spent this season on loan at Sunderland, was acting in defence of a friend

Wednesday 24 May 2017 18:56 BST

Jason Denayer spent last season at Sunderland on loan (Getty)

Manchester City defender Jason Denayer has said that he “regrets” taking part in a street fight in Brussels in which he was defending a friend.

In footage of the incident spread on social media, the Belgium international can be seen kicking out at a man who has his friend pinned to the ground.

The incident is believed to have taken place in the early hours of Sunday morning after Denayer and a group of friends were leaving a nightclub in the Belgian capital.

Manchester City players who could leave this summer

Show all 11

1/11Manchester City players who could leave this summer

Manchester City players who could leave this summer

Sergio Aguero

The scorer of arguably the most important goal in the club’s history, its third highest-scoring player of all-time and arguably still Guardiola’s best striker, and yet he could leave this summer. That Aguero’s long-term future is in doubt is a sign of how far Guardiola is prepared to go to rebuild his ageing squad.

Manchester City players who could leave this summer

Yaya Toure

Toure’s departure would be less controversial than Aguero’s, what with his contract up at the end of the season, but it would still mark the end of an era at the Etihad. The Ivorian may have made his way out of exile earlier this season, but several poor performances against fellow top six sides have suggested that he lacks what Guardiola is looking for from a central midfielder.

Manchester City players who could leave this summer

Vincent Kompany

The third member of City’s established ‘spine’ who looks to be on the way out. The truth is, with an injury record like the Belgian’s, any player would struggle to justify being kept on the books. Kompany does, however, have several things in his favour. His popularity at the club, not to mention among the supporters, cannot be easily dismissed and his contract will only expire in 2019.

Manchester City players who could leave this summer

Joe Hart

Hart’s goose was cooked last summer and chances of return to City’s first team are remote, especially after an indifferent loan spell in Torino. There will, no doubt, be plenty of interest in his services from other Premier League clubs, but offers may only come from further down the table.

Manchester City players who could leave this summer

Kelechi Iheanacho

Having started the season with hopes of pushing Aguero for a regular starting place, Iheanacho has arguably suffered most from Gabriel Jesus’ arrival. If Aguero stays, it leaves the Nigerian youngster well down the pecking order and potentially looking for first-team opportunities elsewhere.

Manchester City players who could leave this summer

Fabian Delph

Another player whose season has been disrupted by injury, Delph faces an uncertain future as the season draws to a close. West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United have been linked with the England international, who may ultimately find himself crowded out by City’s other midfield options.

Manchester City players who could leave this summer

Fernando

Only five Premier League starts for the Brazilian this season suggests he does not figure in Guardiola’s long-term thinking, at least not as regular. Like Delph, it is difficult to see where he slots in, especially if City enter the market for midfield options this summer.

Manchester City players who could leave this summer

Eliaquim Mangala

Only five Premier League starts for the Brazilian this season suggests he does not figure in Guardiola’s long-term thinking, at least not as regular. Like Delph, it is difficult to see where he slots in, especially if City enter the market for midfield options this summer.

Manchester City players who could leave this summer

Samir Nasri

Impressive displays on loan at Sevilla, despite being pock-marked by the ‘Drip Doctors’ scandal and a sending off against Leicester, could earn Nasri a respectable move come June. The Frenchman has sold his home in Cheshire as he prepares to permanently sever his City ties.

Manchester City players who could leave this summer

Wilfried Bony

Bony was sent out on loan to Stoke City last summer but his struggle for minutes in Staffordshire led to him openly questioning Mark Hughes’ methods. The Ivorian will have to begin the search for another new club upon his return to City in the summer.

Manchester City players who could leave this summer

Jason Denayer

Still yet to make a senior appearance for City, Denayer has spent the season on loan at Premier League strugglers Sunderland, and done so without distinction. Another loan, or perhaps a permanent transfer, look likely as the defender remains tied to his parent club until 2020.

A short eight-second clip of the fight shared widely online shows Denayer kicking the man in the head, but in a longer version, he is at first reluctant to intervene and only does so after his friend is taken to the ground.

In a statement released by his management company, Denayer said: “I reacted instinctively. Of course I regret to have been caught up in a conflict that was not mine to begin with.

“I was heading towards my car when I heard a friend screaming out in the street. I ran back when I saw how a man threw my friend on the ground and sat on top of him while hitting him badly.

“I saw that my friend was in real danger and I had to interfere. I reacted instinctively, as my only purpose was to protect my friend.”

The player's agent, Jesse De Preter, asked for his client's conduct to be judged on the longer clip of the incident rather than the short

De Preter said: "The images shown in the video are just a part of the story. Jason has explained to us in detail how things have played out and we have no reason to doubt his words.

"Jason was not initially involved in the fight. His reaction was to help out his friend and get the aggressor to stop. It was a case of instinctive protection in what was clearly an emergency situation."

De Preter added Denayer was not facing any charges while City have declined to comment on the matter.

Additional reporting by PA

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