Manchester City is one of the best teams in the world right now, and many feel that they are still the best club in the Premier League. Much of that is due to manager Pep Guardiola, who is certainly one of the best managers in soccer history.
The Spaniard has built the team in his own image since his arrival at the Etihad, with a very specific style of playing. He has chosen the best players to play on his team, with each performing a certain role. But there is one player that Guardiola wants, and that too from his own rivals.
Pep Guardiola names cross-city rival fit to play for his team
According to Transfer News Live, Pep Guardiola has privately admitted that only Manchester United winger Marcus Rashford can get into his team from the Red Devils. The Spaniard is a longtime admirer of the player and thinks that only he is fit for the rival club to join his star studded team. This comes only days after Pep invited United legend Wayne Rooney to be his assistant manager.
Rashford has been at Manchester United for all his life, being one of their academy products. He has been a starter for the team for a long time and is a crucial component for them. He had his best performance last season, when he racked up 30 goals and 11 assists, showing his full potential is yet to be unlocked.
🚨 Pep Guardiola has privately admitted that Marcus Rashford is the only Manchester United player good enough to play for Man City regularly.
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) February 27, 2024
(Source: @footyinsider247) pic.twitter.com/bewOPShcDF
However, he has not replicated the same performance this season, with just 5 goals and 6 assists. He seems to lack passion and determination to play, and many fans are contemplating whether he should leave the club. This may allow Pep Guardiola to pounce on his much desired player, but the player may not want to move directly to a rival.
However, this won’t be the first time something like this happens. If he does come to the blue side of Manchester, Pep may unlock his full potential, and Rashford could finally become the player he is meant to be.
Guardiola sends clear message to Jack Grealish
And Pep Guardiola being interested in Marcus Rashford is not a surprise, considering the recent downgrade of City winger Jack Grealish. The Englishman was one of the best players last season when they won the treble, but has been underwhelming this season. He has only played 14 league games and does not seem to be the same player that everyone saw last season.
And Guardiola himself has openly stated this in a recent press conference, “He played lots of minutes last season and this season less in the beginning—it’s the way he has performed. That’s the difference.”
He also gave a clear warning to the player to find his form soon: “I cannot give three or four games for them to get their rhythm, they have to find the rhythm if playing 90 or 20 minutes. At a high level, the team doesn’t wait.”
Pep Guardiola and Manchester City will now take on Luton Town tomorrow in a FA Cup 5th round fixture.
