But Bravo appeared to struggle on that front and in general at Old Trafford, enduring several shaky moments, one of which saw him flap at a free-kick, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic striking home the loose ball.
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Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has strongly suggested Marcus Rashford and Ander Herrera will be included in his first-team in the Europa League tie against Feyenoord on Thursday (15 September).
Mourinho opted to drop Juan Mata in favour of his £26 million summer signing but, after watching him lose the ball on a number of occasions, was wrong to do so.
“We go to one of the best stadiums in the world and win the game”, Guardiola said. The former Chelsea manager said that it is hard to predict how players will react when selected for big games though. First half we were better – in the second half it was hard.
“It happened similarly against Stoke and West Ham – when the game is open, which is typical here in England, if you don’t finish those actions you are going to suffer until the end”.
It’s a cultural change compared to the days of Hart, who was strong on crosses and at shot-stopping but often looked unsure with the ball at his feet. He has beat me and I have beat him.
“You can not come to Old Trafford and dominate for 90 minutes, it’s impossible”. “That means a lot”.
The United boss also felt Nicolas Otamendi should have been pulled up for a handball – decisions by referee Mark Clattenburg that compounded a poor opening period by United.
“I think maybe for some guys it is a new beginning. Performances are the only way that I can decide”, he said, as reported by The Sun, who claim he was left furious with their displays.
Ultimately, though, Mourinho took responsibility.
Kevin De Bruyne and Kelechi Iheanacho set each other up for goals in the first 36 minutes, during which Guardiola’s City team put on a handsome display of clinical passing and movement at Old Trafford.
However, United were not able to find the equaliser despite coming with a better show in the last 45 minutes of the game.
“He [Rashford] is going to play is the only thing I can say”, Mourinho told United’s official website.
Mourinho said United’s “bad” first half cost his team. “I know his future will be absolutely brilliant”, Mourinho added.
“What has happened has happened”.
“Kevin had an awesome, fantastic game”, Guardiola said. Never. Because this is where they want to press. He has beaten me and I have beaten him.
“We have to focus on the next game now and be ready”. But it is part of the game.
Their source is quotes as saying: ‘The players could be heard shouting and arguing amongst themselves during the interval.
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“Hopefully next time we play against United, people start to forget”.
