Man City 1-2 Man Utd: Crisis-hit Pep Guardiola faces huge rebuild


Manchester City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, has revealed that the club’s crisis has affected his sleeping patterns. After his team was defeated by rivals Manchester United, Guardiola showed visible signs of agitation, even when City was leading thanks to Josko Gvardiol’s 36th-minute header. Guardiola wanted the goal to be scored in his team’s purest style instead of coming through deflected crosses. Despite having lost many of the games in the past, this was the first time City had lost a game after leading so late on.

Guardiola’s self-analysis was brutal and self-deprecating as he stated that he needed to find solutions as he had not been good enough. He expressed frustration that there was no defence and congratulated United’s persistence. Guardiola has acknowledged that the core group of the team is aging and has lost its insatiable thirst for success. Opponents now sense vulnerability until the final whistle, as United did during this game.

Although Guardiola has every right to cite injuries to players like Rodri and others, it cannot be used as an excuse for such a dramatic decline in standards. City’s rebuild will not be a quick fix, and the competition is likely to be challenging, with City’s challengers also strengthening. Guardiola will have to spend money to lead City in making a comeback.

The defeat has brought City and Guardiola in new, unfamiliar territory. City’s quest for a record fifth successive Premier League title is over as they’re nine points behind leaders Liverpool, having played a game more. Additionally, their Champions League aspirations are waning after their latest defeat against Juventus in Turin. The prospects for City’s coming seasons look more daunting as their performance in every game reveals what’s at stake

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