The Spanish midfielder was included in Manchester City’s starting line-up for Tuesday’s 4-1 League Cup victory over Hull City after a two-month lay-off and instantly dazzled, reassuming the creative mantle and inspiring his side to a comfortable victory.
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City could face Stoke in the cup final as the Potters were paired with Liverpool in the last four after their 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.
“The most important thing was to qualify for the semi-final but after that it was important for David to have 80 minutes after a long injury”, said Pellegrini, who hopes to have some of his big names back at the weekend.
David Anderson of the Mirror reported Ronaldo’s mother has advised her son to return to Manchester United, should he decide to leave the Bernabeu, and Simon Mullock of the Sunday Mirror said the player is enthused about the idea of plying his trade at Old Trafford once again.
Pellegrini stressed it is crucial for his side to make a fast start against Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.
The Spaniard ran from inside the Middlesbrough half before beating two defenders and finishing low from the edge of the area.
City goalkeeper Joe Hart had to make a smart save early in the second half to block a shot from Bojan after another weaving run from the Barcelona striker.
“Teams come and sit in against us because they know the quality we possess throughout the squad”. If we can continue to play like we are then I see no reason for us not to be champions at the end of the season.
City has now gone four away games without a win in the league.
Just few minutes later Kevin De Bruyne, took advantage of Hull City’s defensive error and stab home Manchester City’s third goal.
“I always I think it was a risk when he returned for the national team, not this last time when he didn’t play, but the other time, it was too soon for him to play”, said the City boss.
“Hull did that and we had to be patient, keep the 1-0 lead and when the second goal did come, it opened up more”. I think we were very solid and didn’t allow any chances for Hull to score.
Austria forward Arnautovic scored in the seventh and 15th minutes from assists by Xherdan Shaqiri as Stoke exploited poor defending by City, which was without Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure and Vincent Kompany because of injury. Hull would love another Wembley trip as it’s very rare we get there, but surely Steve Bruce is more focused on getting us back to the Premier League and so I’d say Hull, but only just.
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“It doesn’t surprise me that amount of finance that has been thrown at it. They have ability now because they are viewed as a world club, whereas previously when I was there it was a mid-table Premier League club if we’re honest”.
