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‘Question marks’ – Man City’s decline more alarming than Man United’s rebuild
Troy Deeney has singled out his biggest concern with Pep Guardiola’s approach against Manchester United. The Manchester City boss was unable to inspire his side to victory at Old Trafford on Sunday. City have ‘a lot of problems’ following their goalless draw with UnitedGetty talkSPORTDeeney believes there are ‘questions marks’ hanging over Guardiola[/caption] Instead, the two rivals played out a low-key goalless draw which did little to boost both sides’ prospects this season. City and United are both enduring disappointing campaigns, with the Red Devils 13th following their derby day stalemate. Despite that, Deeney feels City’s woes this term are more concerning after noticing ‘improvement’ from United under Ruben Amorim. The former Watford striker told Breakfast: “I could see a lot of signs of improvement in Man United again. Just that final third now, that top half of the pitch with the lack of a little bit of quality.” As for the approach against City, he added: “If he goes gung-ho and he goes after him and Man City pick them off everyone says he doesn’t know what he’s doing and he’s a system manager so he can’t win. But I see a lot of improvement in that Man United team already.” Instead it was the visitors who showcased ‘a lot of problems’ in Deeney’s eyes, notably with Guardiola’s team selection. The talkSPORT co-host explained: “Man City at the moment I see a lot of problems. “I also see some question marks around Pep because that was a very old midfield that he chose again and it didn’t work again. “But in recent times he’s had the argument that people have been injured. Everyone’s fit and available. “He left (Jeremy) Doku, Savinho on the bench, (Nico) Gonzalez who they brought in as well. United have shown ‘signs of improvement’ since Amorim’s arrival in NovemberGetty Guardiola is at risk of missing out on Champions League qualification this seasonGetty “So it seems to me that he’s trying to hold on to some nostalgia while doing a rebuild and I think that’s a dangerous place for Man City.” After their struggles in the first half of the season, City spent £185million on five new signings in January. However, Omar Marmoush was the only mid-season addition to feature against United as the Egyptian started in attack. Meanwhile, Nico Gonzalez, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis were all unused substitutes. Guardiola addressed his side’s rebuild following the match as he discussed the need to get back to their usual level. The Spaniard told Sky Sports: “It will take time, the players gave everything today. Guardiola started just one of his January signings as his City rebuild stalledGetty “We will prepare for the upcoming games, there are a few things I’m happy with what I saw, but now we need to achieve the target of qualifying for Champions League then next season is next season.” City are currently fifth with seven matches remaining following Sunday’s draw, just a point behind Chelsea above them. Newcastle are only two points back, though, and have two games in hand on their rivals for Champions League qualification. Although the Premier League is set to receive an additional place in next season’s competition, City must still face Aston Villa during the run-in. It would be the first time in 15 years that City have not qualified for the Champions League if they miss out. Meanwhile, the FA Cup is their only way of avoiding a first trophyless campaign since the 2016/17 season. City face Nottingham Forest at Wembley Stadium in the semi-finals on April 27.
Troy Deeney has singled out his biggest concern with Pep Guardiola’s approach against Manchester United.
The Manchester City boss was unable to inspire his side to victory at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Instead, the two rivals played out a low-key goalless draw which did little to boost both sides’ prospects this season.
City and United are both enduring disappointing campaigns, with the Red Devils 13th following their derby day stalemate.
Despite that, Deeney feels City’s woes this term are more concerning after noticing ‘improvement’ from United under Ruben Amorim.
The former Watford striker told Breakfast: “I could see a lot of signs of improvement in Man United again. Just that final third now, that top half of the pitch with the lack of a little bit of quality.”
As for the approach against City, he added: “If he goes gung-ho and he goes after him and Man City pick them off everyone says he doesn’t know what he’s doing and he’s a system manager so he can’t win. But I see a lot of improvement in that Man United team already.”
Instead it was the visitors who showcased ‘a lot of problems’ in Deeney’s eyes, notably with Guardiola’s team selection.
The talkSPORT co-host explained: “Man City at the moment I see a lot of problems.
“I also see some question marks around Pep because that was a very old midfield that he chose again and it didn’t work again.
“But in recent times he’s had the argument that people have been injured. Everyone’s fit and available.
“He left (Jeremy) Doku, Savinho on the bench, (Nico) Gonzalez who they brought in as well.
“So it seems to me that he’s trying to hold on to some nostalgia while doing a rebuild and I think that’s a dangerous place for Man City.”
After their struggles in the first half of the season, City spent £185million on five new signings in January.
However, Omar Marmoush was the only mid-season addition to feature against United as the Egyptian started in attack.
Meanwhile, Nico Gonzalez, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis were all unused substitutes.
Guardiola addressed his side’s rebuild following the match as he discussed the need to get back to their usual level.
The Spaniard told Sky Sports: “It will take time, the players gave everything today.
“We will prepare for the upcoming games, there are a few things I’m happy with what I saw, but now we need to achieve the target of qualifying for Champions League then next season is next season.”
City are currently fifth with seven matches remaining following Sunday’s draw, just a point behind Chelsea above them.
Newcastle are only two points back, though, and have two games in hand on their rivals for Champions League qualification.
Although the Premier League is set to receive an additional place in next season’s competition, City must still face Aston Villa during the run-in.
It would be the first time in 15 years that City have not qualified for the Champions League if they miss out.
Meanwhile, the FA Cup is their only way of avoiding a first trophyless campaign since the 2016/17 season.
City face Nottingham Forest at Wembley Stadium in the semi-finals on April 27.
