Pep Guardiola says Man City actually have to nullify ‘exceptional’ £47m Man Utd player on Sunday

Redaction Simon Brett with Srinivas Sadhanand
Published on 2024-03-03 09:30:00

Pep Guardiola recognizes the threat that Bruno Fernandes poses to Manchester City ahead of their Sunday match against Manchester United.

The Portuguese midfielder has been hailed as United’s creative force, with his ability to impact games with his skill and vision. Despite predictions favoring City in the derby, Fernandes has the potential to turn the tide in favor of the visitors.

Last season, Fernandes scored twice against Manchester City, showcasing his ability to trouble even the toughest opponents.

While United may not have as many attacking threats as other teams, their captain remains a key player capable of influencing the outcome of the game.

Guardiola praised Fernandes for his consistency and game-changing abilities, highlighting his importance to the United team.

“An exceptional player. Especially the consistency to play every single game and every single competition, I admire a lot. He is a guy who when he has the ball, something is going to happen, free-kicks, in set-pieces and connections with the players up front, like [Alejandro] Garnacho, [Marcus] Rashford”, he said [via HaytersTV].

“What can I say? A really, really important player.”

Recognizing the need to neutralize Fernandes, Guardiola emphasized the need to contain him to prevent him from creating opportunities for his teammates.

As City prepares to face United, Guardiola is likely to instruct players like Rodri and John Stones on how to limit Fernandes’ impact on the game.

With United’s strength lying in quick counterattacks, stopping Fernandes from feeding chances to Rashford and Garnacho will be crucial for City’s defense.

If Rodri and Stones can effectively shut down Fernandes, City’s chances of securing a victory will increase significantly.

Guardiola understands the threat posed by United’s captain and is determined to devise a strategy to nullify his influence on the game.

As the derby approaches, all eyes will be on how City plans to handle Fernandes and the challenges he presents.

Read Original article on Manchester City News