PEP GUARDIOLA believes Gabriel Jesus can be the answer to his derby prayers – after rediscovering his goal touch in midweek.
The Brazilian forward struck twice in the 4-1 thumping of Burnley to show he can fill the gap left by injured Sergio Aguero.
Pep Guardiola has tipped Gabriel Jesus for a starring role in the Manchester derbyCredit: AP:Associated Press
Jesus’ last 10 goals have all come away from the Etihad – but United’s away record in the Premier League has been dismal recently.
And the manager hopes his starring show at Turf Moor will mean he is walking tall going into the showdown with United on Saturday.
City boss Guardiola said: “Gabriel has to be himself, we need his goals and that’s why we won the last game.
“If he puts this idea in his head he can do it every game.
“Not just with him but for all the players, confidence has to be there in the heads, not because of good or bad performances, winning or losing games.
“There are some things that are undeniable, the mentality and how strong they are. We have to learn with all athletes, we’ll not bei in the high level and playing if he didn’t have quality.
“They can control it, they don’t need the manager to speak to them, they have to believe they are good enough and show how good they are.
“All the time it’s there, if they score goals the confidence rises, likes if a keeper doesn’t’ concede goals the confidence rises.
“Normally here we speak about what happened in the past, the recent past – but everything has changed, couldn’t care less.
Man City have announced Marathonbet as the club’s first official training kit partner
“It’s about tomorrow at 5.30 and the players decide who is going to win.
“United have huge history and their quality is always there but we must try to beat them. I speak to my players to see how to beat them.”
Man City have also announced Marathonbet as the club’s first official training kit partner.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
