Pep Guardiola swore live on Sky Sports when he was asked about the whereabouts of Benjamin Mendy.
Injured Mendy tagged himself at Hong Kong International Airport on his Instagram story on Friday morning.
Guardiola said: “Wow, I didn’t know. F***, he’s a lucky guy. He said he was going to Paris but Hong Kong is far away, I need to download an Instagram account.
“Yesterday he was in Barcelona. It will definitely not be OK if he is in Hong Kong.”
Mendy has since responded on Twitter, insisting that it was a joke.
Mendy continues to be sidelined through injury.
Guardiola said: “Benjamin Mendy is injured and it’s not easy. Meniscus. It is not easy. He needs to readapt.
“You can’t return and train for two days and then you are fit. You have to be careful.”
Meanwhile, Guardiola is refusing to get carried away despite seeing Manchester City return to the top of the Premier League table.
City were seven points behind Liverpool only a few weeks ago, but Wednesday’s win at Everton saw them leapfrog Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Guardiola’s team are top on goal difference, with Liverpool having a game in hand.
Guardiola said: “We have played one more game. Liverpool and Tottenham and Chelsea have one more.
“But we cannot deny it. A few days ago we could be seven points (behind) and now we’re in the position we’re in.”