Pep Guardiola has warned that Rodri must 'control himself and his emotions' after being sent off against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
City were 2-0 up at the Etihad when Rodri was given his marching orders after a clash with Morgan Gibbs-White at the start of the second half.
He will now be dealt a three-game suspension, which will include missing a crunch-clash with last year's closest rivals for the title Arsenal.
The Spaniard has been a key player for Guardiola's men this season and for a number of years, but they will now be forced to adapt in his absence following an outburst during the game.
While Guardiola was proud of his side, he said after the match that his key man still has a way to go to ensure he can control himself on the field.
'Rodri has to control himself and his emotions,' Guardiola said. this is what he has to do. I can get a yellow card but Rodri cannot get a yellow card. I do not play. The guys inside have to be careful.
'Rodri needs to learn.'
Guardiola hailed his 'exceptional' Manchester side after they saw the game out and kept a clean sheet as they continued their perfect start to the new season.
They raced into the lead in the opening ten minutes of the game through Phil Foden, before top scorer Erling Haaland added to his tally for the season when he headed in Mathias Nunes' cross.
The result means City moved five points clear at the top of the table, leading Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool before the trio play their matches on Sunday.
While the first two sides will do battle in a heavily-anticipated north London derby, Liverpool will host West Ham as they look to keep up their unbeaten run that extends back to April.
'An exceptional game in the first half,' he added. 'Exceptional game in the second for our resilience and our work because we played, I would say, 51/52minutes ten against eleven so it was not easy but we were fantastic.
'I thought the way we played in the first half was amazing so against a difficult side for the physicality the pace they have up front so yeah, recover for the next one.'
Emmanuel00018
550
Rodri: Everything Casemiro can do, I can do better πππ
Kasabalanka
513
Copy right ππ
Shettybhagwan
504
Rodri is best defensive midfielder in the world right now
Popsmoke360
407
Rodri or no Rodri City will always win π against Arsenal this season
Emmyblack
319
I'm not surprised, rodri for some time has been complaining that he is playing too much games and he needs a rest, so because he is practically undropable since kalvin Phillips is playing rubbish, so he used the red card as an opportunity to get a well needed rest
Vicbprty
277
Rodrigo is a good player he is just tired mentally π
Strength1999
262
Is B Silva still injured or available against Arsenal.This short guy is still extremely dangerous even if Rodri can't play.
ShubhankurSharma
203
City battered arsenal at emirates with Bernardo as left back. They'll be fine.
TiyanjaneChalamwendo
191
so the only way to rest Rodri is through the red card
JamesRoland
147
Ridri has more goals than Chelsea strikers
Hardlund
93
Goals for Argentina in Finals: The legend Di Maria: 5 Goals Len Pesssi: 1 Penalty But but my idolo is the second best Argentine in history π π