Pep Guardiola would have been frustrated after Manchester City dropped points yet again after drawing 0-0 against Manchester United.
Coming off the back of their inspiring 2-1 victory against AFC Bournemouth in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup coupled with Kevin De Bruyne announcing his exit at the end of the season were factors that should have driven Manchester City to a statement display followed by a win.
The visitors should also have been fired up to seek revenge after their humiliating 2-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season.
Instead, it seemed like City were too afraid to lose and reticent of taking the game to Manchester United as they sleepwalked to a bore draw — which would have naturally irked Pep Guardiola.
Guardiola seemed too cautious as he picked his starting XI to go toe-to-toe against Manchester United as he decided not to start any natural wingers in Jeremy Doku or Savinho — rendering Manchester City toothless out wide.
Pep Guardiola has impassioned chat with Jeremy Doku after Manchester United vs Man City
Manchester City looked desperately out of ideas against Manchester United and it was no surprise as neither Savinho or Doku started — two players who have a massive say in how they attack teams.
Pep Guardiola lauded Doku’s display against Tottenham as he starred in what was a big game a few weeks ago.
But the six-time Premier League winner decided to start Omar Marmoush as an inside forward on the left-hand side for much of the game, who vacated his position to drift in centrally — handing the young Nico O’Reilly the freedom of the touchline — which was a massive responsibility for the 19-year-old who was starting in his first Manchester Derby in the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola did eventually bring Doku on against Manchester United as an impact substitute and journalist Joe Bray revealed that the pair had a long chat after Manchester City’s latest outing.
Guardiola has a habit of having such individual post-match debriefs on the pitch with players and he has previously done so with the likes of Raheem Sterling and Jack Grealish in the past.
Pep Guardiola looked impassioned at the time as Doku intently listened to the Manchester City boss after his quiet cameo against Manchester United.
Pep Guardiola could be planning to replace Jeremy Doku soon
The Belgian international did not get the ball in the final third on many occasions, with Ruben Amorim’s side looking the more dangerous side in the last half an hour in particular.
On another day, United may have won but they could not get over the line — partly due to their poor decisions in the final third and some impressive last-ditch defending from City’s end.
Pep Guardiola had a chat with Rodrygo’s faither as Manchester City reportedly look to sign him in the summer.
If that is indeed the case, Guardiola could be set to replace Doku with the Brazilian but against Manchester United, it seemed like his reason for not playing the Manchester City winger was purely tactical as he may have prioritised control over chaos.
