Fingers have been pointed amid Manchester City's slump this season, with almost every member of the squad taking criticism as Pep Guardiola struggles to turn fortunes around - but City fans in the Manchester Evening News comments section are not taking any put-downs aimed at Bernardo Silva lightly.

Silva has been an ever-present player for City so far this season, with only Erling Haaland and Josko Gvardiol playing more minutes than him. Like other members of the team, he has been put into roles that don't suit him best, as the club grapple with injuries - and the resulting heavy workload for those that remain - cutting deep into a small squad.

Online criticism of Silva's recent performances grew after City were badly overrun in the Champions League loss to PSG, with everything from his effort to his mentality questioned. Fingers are being pointed as some fans look to dole out blame or look for improvements in a dour season.

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Some fans are having none of it. Reader GrogEisenbein says: "We have been spoilt rotten by Bernardo’s performances for the past half decade. He has turned in stunningly stable performances in almost every game he has played, being intense in the press and wonderful when taking on opponents. He has routinely made even the most merited opponent look cumbersome and slow.

"Now for the first time he looks short of form. Let’s not hold that against him. He is playing in a team where everyone’s standards have dropped. Just let him rest a bit more (for example by signing the one thing our tired squad really needs: a fresh pair of legs in midfield - or start using O’Reilly for Pete’s sake) and Bernardo will return to his best before too long."

Commenter Gizzie writes: "The 'fans' who are criticising Bernado are obviously armchair critics! Bernardo is an outstanding player, giving his best week in & out for the team. The whole team are tired! It's been full-on for months, & due to so many bad injuries, there's never been a complete regular team for ages!

"PSG in France, pouring rain, still a weak squad, was just an accident waiting to happen! A match we really weren't ready for at this time... the new signings have yet to settle into the team etc. If they play, & we can beat Chelsea, it will be a good omen for the more challenging games coming."

Mrcake says: "The problem is he's burnt out and trying to do things he doesn't usually do. He's not a defensive midfielder, not blessed with great pace, so he's not going to track back and catch up and tackle players, which is what we need in our current situation. He always gives 100% and is one of our best creative attacking midfielders.

"But recently he's had to do stuff he's not used to do to help the team. He can close players down but that only works when players around him also do the same. At the moment our midfield is lacking steel, pace, energy and players who can defend and track back. Not his fault."

Benbluesence writes: "I said weeks ago he looks burnt out, there are some comments on here that are way over the top but I don't think they are real City supporters. If there is one player that's given everything for City it's him, over the last two or three seasons he could have gone elsewhere, plenty of other clubs wanted his services but he stayed. Wherever he is asked to play, he does so without complaint."

Blue.bee.leaf adds: "There is never a lack of effort from Bernardo, and I would argue anyone has ever seen that from him. Many of our lads operate best when the tempo in our passing is high, because they're technically gifted and quick of mind. Being dragged into a physical battle is a losing battle, which is why the movement and tempo is so important. This is what we've lost this season."

Have your say! Where should Guardiola find time to rest his players? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.