Guardiola was speaking after a 3-1 win over Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
However, City’s victory was marred by the sight of Bernardo Silva being substituted before half-time with an apparent hamstring injury.
Silva joins a long injury list which includes Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones, Mateo Kovacic and Jack Grealish.
“We have five important players injured.
Sustaining that for a long time will be difficult but it is what it is.
“We cannot have 35 players because that will be chaos for the clubs and go bankrupt.
“Unfortunately, it’s long time for Kevin, John didn’t play, maybe Kova is coming back, Jack has a week or 10 days,” Guardiola told the club’s official website.
The city boss added: “We are in trouble but I’m not going to say ‘oh, we have a lot of injuries. It is what it is.”
