- The Manchester City captain was absent from Saturday's FA Cup match
- Pep Guardiola questions Walker's future in the current League champion
- Hear It's all starting! Why Manchester United might have to sell Kobbie Mainoo or Alejandro Garnacho
The reason behind Kyle Walker's surprise omission from Manchester City's matchday squad for Saturday's FA Cup clash against minnows Salford has been revealed as Pep Guardiola casts doubt on the star's future.
Walker was not named in the City team that arrived at the Etihad to face Gary Neville and Class of '92-backed Salford, who were hoping to cause an upset in the third round of the competition.
The 34-year-old suffered the worst moment of his City career during the team's end-of-year woes and now finds himself on the periphery of Guardiola's side.
Walker has started nine Premier League games for City this season but has left the team in recent weeks.
He was expected to have a chance to regain some confidence in the FA Cup clash against lower league rivals Salford.
However, the City captain was among several names ruled out for the match despite Guardiola revealing that the England international is fully fit to play.
The reason for Kyle Walker's surprise omission from the Manchester City squad has been revealed
Walker has endured a poor run of form at City during the team's end-of-year woes.
Pep Guardiola appeared to cast doubt on Walker's future at the club amid Saudi Arabia links
Instead, the City manager explained that Walker's absence was “tactical” as his team looked to begin their FA Cup journey after reaching the final in consecutive years.
Questions have been raised surrounding Walker's future in Manchester amid issues both on and off the pitch and the right-back has been linked with a possible move to join a Saudi Pro League side.
Rico Lewis has overtaken Walker in City's pecking order and the club could turn to the market to fund new defensive signings in the January transfer window.
When asked about Walker's future at the club, Guardiola refused to weigh in, replying: “I don't know.”
The six-time Premier League champion signed a new three-year deal with the club until 2026 last year but could leave early amid doubts over his form.
Recently, Walker hasn't hit the usual pace his career and skills have depended on.
Guardiola could give the green light to a sale to prevent the iconic title winner from running out his contract on the sidelines.
The pair previously shared a healthy relationship during City's years of dominance, but Walker previously flirted with the idea of leaving the club he initially joined from Spurs.
Bayern Munich had expressed before City's start that they would win a seventh Premier League crown during Guardiola's legendary reign, but opted to renew terms with the English champions.
Walker left the Man City squad amid the fall of the club's captain this season
Meanwhile, several of his equally celebrated former team-mates have made lavish moves to Saudi Arabia, with Riyad Mahrez among the cohort of former Premier League stars receiving huge salaries.
Walker could eventually decide to follow them to the oil-rich nation; However, doing so would likely end his association with the England national team ahead of next year's World Cup.
Man City are set to make defensive additions during the January transfer window.
A £35million deal is being finalized for Lens centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov, while City are also in talks for Palmeiras defender Vitor Reis.