MANCHESTER (VG) Kevin De Bruyne (31) has been labeled a failure regarding his transfer to Manchester City. On a day seven years later, both the Belgian superstar and manager Pep Guardiola (51) laughed at the critics.

Aftenposten collaborated with VG-sporten. Therefore, as a reader of Aftenposten, you also get articles and services created by VG.

– There are people who don’t know him. There are haters, you know. And they have a chance to talk. The important thing is that Kevin is calm enough to appear on the pitch as usual, Guardiola said when VG asked the Spaniard about statements by Sky Sports pundits Phil Thompson (68) and Paul Merson (54) in 2015.

The 51-year-old has coached De Bruyne during six of the Belgian’s seven years at City. Before Guardiola arrived in Manchester, he was Bayern Munich boss. In parallel, De Bruyne played for German Wolfsburg after failing to stay at Chelsea from 2012 to 2014.

– I suffered when we met Kevin with Bayern, says Guardiola now.

READ ALSO: Guardiola kept secret about Haaland

Liverpool legend Thompson was not so impressed when City transferred over NOK 500m to Wolfsburg to bring De Bruyne to Manchester.

– Oh, dear! The world went crazy. “When you see how much money they paid for this kid it’s absolutely ridiculous,” Thompson said live on Sky Sports.

Merson’s fellow experts followed up by claiming, among other things, that José Mourinho did the right thing when he got rid of De Bruyne during his time at Chelsea in 2014.

– That’s a “no brainer” to me. I just don’t see this here. I don’t see £50m or more for this player. “I didn’t see it at all,” said Merson, who has had a long career at Arsenal and Aston Villa behind him.

At the same time, The Mirror called Belgian player De Bruyne a failure. Since then, the attacking midfielder has completely denied them. In 312 games, De Bruyne has scored 87 goals, provided 124 assists and won 11 trophies with City. He was also named the Premier League’s Player of the Year twice.

On Tuesday, De Bruyne ridiculed the newspaper on Twitter.

Next Wednesday, De Bruyne could again play an important role for Guardiola’s men when Nottingham Forest travel to the Etihad Stadium. According to the Spaniard, people should easily understand what makes him so good.

– Kevin showed it himself. He has incredible talent, work ethic and dedication to the club and the players around him. No doubt. These players are so good there’s no need to talk about them. You just have to see what they do,” Guardiola told VG.

– It was a very good signing for Manchester City. He did it brilliantly, noted the 51-year-old, who has yet to reveal whether Erling Braut Haaland will start the game against Forest.

Kick-off at 8.30pm on Wednesday night.

READ ALSO: Haaland roars for hat-trick in super comeback