The boss made a slight tweak to his line up with Phil Foden stationed on the left flank and Gabriel Jesus deployed out on the right as City sought to counter United’s back five.
It more than paid dividends with an Eric Bailly own goal and a Bernardo Silva strike sealing both the points and Manchester bragging rights.
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“Against a back five, when you go left to the by-line, you break the back five. If you play right on the left side, they hurt you,” Guardiola said at his post-match press conference.
“They got a good result against Tottenham with five at the back, so we thought the best way was to play Phil left, Gabriel right.
“We thought they could play different positions but, in that position, you make action to the by-line and make you attacks more efficient.”
Play the video to watch Pep’s press conference in full…
