Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City sustains an injury against Burnley.

Manchester City suffered an early-season injury setback in their Premier League opener against Burnley.

Manchester City’s Premier League opening was marred by an injury to Kevin De Bruyne.

Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City sustains an injury against Burnley.

Despite having limited game time this summer owing to a hamstring injury aggravated in last season’s Champions League final, the Belgium playmaker was selected to start against Burnley at Turf Moor on Friday night. De Bruyne wore the captain’s armband as he led City out on the night, but he was withdrawn with less than a quarter of the game remaining.

De Bruyne was dragged off the pitch after 22 minutes, with City already leading 1-0. Erling Haaland scored the opening goal after De Bruyne curled in the initial delivery and Rodri assisted.

As he left the field, the former Chelsea man handed over the armband to Kyle Walker, and he was replaced in central midfield by summer acquisition Mateo Kovacic, who was called up from the star-studded bench to make his Premier League debut for City.

De Bruyne was able to walk down the tunnel without assistance. However, it was too early to say whether he had suffered a recurrence of the hamstring injury he picked up last season – and has only just recovered from.

Speaking from his Sky Sports commentary position, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said: “You hope it’s not the hamstring issue from the Champions League final because, if it’s a recurring injury, it gets even worse. If this is a new injury, then it’s simply bad luck.”

After seeing now-former captain Ilkay Gundogan go Barcelona on a free transfer this summer, City decided to replace him with Kovacic, who cost them €29.1 million. Josko Gvardiol, a fellow summer recruit, was named to the City bench against Burnley.