The warning Pep Guardiola gave Man City's stars in 2023 which he hasn't stuck by after Man Utd loss - opinion
12/16/2024 07:45 AM
Pep Guardiola must have been scratching his head after witnessing his Manchester City side capitulate in abysmal fashion during their 2-1 loss against Manchester United.
Guardiola would have expected his experienced City side to see the game out after they were leading 1-0 until the 87th minute.
Pep Guardiola backed Matheus Nunes despite his howler of a back pass to Amad Diallo before barging into him and gifting Bruno Fernandes a penalty to score the all-important equaliser for United; summing up how much of a mess City are at this moment in time.
Lisandro Martinez is one of the best defenders in the Premier League with the ball at his feet and he showcased his quality in possession once again by assisting Diallo’s late winner.
Josko Gvardiol, who scored the opening goal for Manchester City failed to spot the Ivorian’s run, as his attempt at goal trickled between his legs on the goalline.
In January last year, Pep Guardiola warned City’s senior stars after their 2-0 defeat to Southampton in the Carabao Cup that unless they step up their game, he will drop them and play the academy players.
However, the Catalan tactician’s warning is yet to manifest itself.
Pep Guardiola’s broken promise to Man City players
In Manchester City’s Netflix documentary, ‘Together: Treble Winners’, Pep Guardiola blasted his players in the aftermath of their surprise upset from the competition.
Guardiola said: “Do you think it’s normal? The way you performed, do you think it’s normal? For the guys who travel and they don’t have money to pay for the heating at home, to come here, to follow us, to perform in this way.”
“Do you think it’s normal? Wow! My team is not like that, we will be in trouble. Sport, life is body language. How you approach life, how you approach the game, this is body language. You want to play, you want the ball, you want to move, you want to fight, you want to [fight for] each other as a brother.”
“Guys, down to the Earth. Work harder, work better, be humble, be ambitious. Otherwise, academy’s ready.”
However, against Manchester United and in far too many games this season, Pep Guardiola has steered clear from giving some of Manchester City’s youth prospects a chance despite the senior players struggling for form.
The Man City academy stars Guardiola should have played
For instance, since Rodri’s injury, Guardiola is yet to start Nico O’Reilly in a single Premier League game this campaign, despite confirming in the summer that he is a first-team player.
Pep Guardiola also claimed that O’Reilly, who is an attacking midfielder by trade could be utilised as a number six, a position he played in against the Red Devils in the FA Community Shield.
Guardiola said via BeanymanSports: “Normally, all the academy players are Rico Lewis, Oscar Bobb [makes short gesture], at least we have a guy like this [makes tall gesture]. You know, from corners, he’s a good header, so strong in the duels and in the small spaces, moves good.”
“Attacking midfielder, you can see, can arrive [late into the box], can play the dual position of the holding midfielder and attacking midfielder.”
However, the two-time treble-winner has continued to persist with Ilkay Gundogan and Mateo Kovacic at the base of midfield, two players who have struggled with the physicality and defensive burden of such a position.
Gundogan, in particular has played as a makeshift holding midfielder when Kovacic is injured and in plenty of games, it has been clear as day that he is no longer physically able to play in such a taxing role; lacking the speed to keep pace with opposition attackers while often coming second-best in duels.
The same applies to Jacob Wright, who told the Daily Mail in October that until Pep Guardiola told him he wished for him to be a first-team player at City this term, he was tempted to leave on loan.
The Englishman is a holding midfielder, unlike O’Reilly who even looked the part during his lively cameo against Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup.
Similarly, Pep Guardiola made the decision of ensuring James McAtee stays in the first-team squad this season, praising his improved “physicality” and ability of playing in tight areas.
However, this season, McAtee has made just two league appearances against Ipswich Town and Nottingham Forest.
In a campaign where Phil Foden has looked out of form when he has been fit to start while Bernardo Silva was also struggling to create or score goals in an advanced role, it was a surprise why a natural number 10 was not given a single chance.
Gundogan, who is a central midfielder by trade was also played further forward at the start of the season, where he looked well out of his depth.
Considering Manchester City have won just one one of their last eight league games, surely McAtee could at least have been trialled as either an attacking midfielder or in a deeper role as well, considering Pep Guardiola pinpointed his physical development at Sheffield United on loan.
The Salford-born attacker often played on the right-wing for Sheffield last season, where he showed bright sparks due to his quick feet and technical quality; a position Bernardo has played in quite often, such as against Manchester United and put in a forgettable performance.
However, Pep Guardiola has let far too many senior players play regular minutes, despite them continuously underperforming instead of giving several talented academy players chances, despite his angered warning a year ago.
Guardiola’s warning was one that if executed could even push some of his established players to buck up their ideas.
Now that City have lost once again in the Manchester Derby, perhaps the decorated manager might be forced into a rethink.
