The inclusion of Nigerian youngster, Kelechi
Iheanacho in the City line-up for the 172nd
Manchester derby against United was clearly
to make a statement, according to manager
Pep Guardiola.
The 19-year-old was handed the task of
leading the Citizens attack in the absence of
Argentine striker Sergio Aguero and he repaid
the faith of the manager with a goal and an
assist.
Guardiola revealed afterwards that he thought
about other options but decided to make a
statement of winning the match by playing
Iheanacho from the start.
“He (Kelechi Iheanacho) was the only striker
we had in that moment,” the Spaniard said,
via the Manchester Evening News. “I thought
about many other options – but I thought in
the beginning to show to my players that I
came to win the game.”
Guardiola further stated that he was satisfied
with the performance of his team, especially
with beating a team managed by his rival
coach Jose Mourinho.
“I’ve received many goals from Mourinho’s
teams on the counter-attack because his
teams are really good in that part of the
game,” he said. “But in the first half we
controlled it, we conceded maybe one or two
counter-attacks, no more.
“It’s really good, we defended the set-pieces
[well] because they are stronger and taller
than us and we defended really good.”
Manchester City returns to action on Tuesday
in the UEFA Champions League when they
entertain Borussia Monchengladbach.
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