Onana has had a trying out life at Manchester United on becoming a member this season
Pep Guardiola believes Andre Onana’s penalty heroics in the Champions League will provide the underneath-hearth goalkeeper a self belief increase beforehand of the Manchester derby on Sunday.
Guardiola is a protracted-time period admirer of the Cameroonian, singling him out as Inter Milan’s maximum risky participant in advance of last season’s Champions League final which Manchester City received 1-0 to assert a ancient treble.
Since transferring to Manchester United within the summer time, Onana has made a number of mistakes but he preserved an vital 1-0 Champions League win over Copenhagen in midweek with a penalty store in delivered-on time.
Onana became mobbed with the aid of his group-pals inside the aftermath and could now head into this weekend with his spirits raised, according to Guardiola, who has been well aware of the ex-Ajax shot-stopper for numerous years.
The Manchester City boss said: “I don’t forget we’ve got a common friend who spoke very especially of him however in my view I met him in Amsterdam. He’s an superb player and now at United.
“Before the game I always assume the excellent of the gamers we’re going to face. I choose to see the strengths than the weakness they have got.
“He saved a penalty in the final minute which helped Manchester United to live in contention to qualify for the remaining 16. Mentally it’s an awesome raise for them and for him.
“Everyone desires time (to adapt to the Premier League), not simply the managers but gamers, keepers. Everyone. Sometimes human beings are quicker but I have a high opinion of him as a keeper.”
Pep Guardiola:
“When you play simply 9 games, many stuff can manifest from my revel in. We were behind with few points in February and March and had been able to win at the give up.”
Jack Grealish turned into restored to City’s starting XI for his or her 3-1 Champions League victory at Swiss outfit Young Boys on Wednesday and he stood out at the left wing earlier than his affect waned after 1/2-time.
The England midfielder has these days been a bit-element parent following a month on the sidelines with a lifeless leg and he has been at the bench for City’s four maximum recent Premier League matches.
But Guardiola, who could be with out suspended defender Manuel Akanji for the go to to Old Trafford after his dismissal within the win over Brighton final weekend, says Grealish continues to be vital to his questioning.
“The plan is for him to play like he did in Switzerland,” Guardiola said. “We need him, we need every body. I am very thrilled for the game he played.
“We believe a lot in him. We understand his ability and he has to fight along with his associates to play plenty and play as nice as feasible in every unmarried movement, every unmarried minute, every unmarried game.”
Second-positioned City are already six factors in advance in their competitors after simply nine furniture however Guardiola insisted it’s far too soon to be making definitive decisions at the campaign.
“It’s too early,” Guardiola introduced. “All the groups are there and the teams in the back of can be there.
“When you play just 9 games, many stuff can happen from my revel in. We were at the back of with few factors in February and March and have been able to win at the stop.”
