The Manchester City boss claims he prefers the Brazilian in a centre-back role at the moment, with Rodri and Gundogan covering in holding midfield
Pep Guardiola says he prefers Fernandinho playing at centre-back with Aymeric Laporte still out injured, discarding former first-choice pairing John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi.
Guardiola's decision not to bring in a replacement for Vincent Kompany when the Belgian re-joined Anderlecht at the start of the season came back to haunt him when Laporte was struck down at the end of August.
The Frenchman suffered a serious knee injury in a 4-0 home win over Brighton and is not expected back until well into the new year.