Pep Guardiola has called Manchester United a ‘long-ball’ team and suggested their goalkeeper was a point of weakness.
It comes a week after Manchester City edged out Erik ten Hag’s side 2-1 in the FA Cup final to complete the second leg of their potential treble. David De Gea was partially responsible for at least one of City’s two goals, but his style of play has constantly proved a weakness for the Red Devils.
The Spaniard – who has been United’s number one goalkeeper for 12 years – has consistently struggled to play out from the back against a high press and Ten Hag’s side have been unable to play out from the back in the manner that they would like – prompting suggestions a new first-choice goalkeeper will be signed this summer, with Porto’s Diogo Costa a key target.
Guardiola was comparing United’s style of play to that of Inter, as the City boss profusely praised the Italian side’s goalkeeper Andre Onana ahead of Saturday’s Champions League final. The Cameroonian has impressed for the Milanese giants on their run to the showpiece.
When asked by Thierry Henry for CBS Sports on the City challenge of facing a defensive five, Guardiola replied: “When you make a switch of play, it is more difficult against a back five because they have more width and numbers spread out. But it is not just the structure of having those numbers that makes Inter difficult.
“The goalkeeper, Onana, makes it really difficult to deploy a high press against. You cannot press the goalkeeper properly. They are masters at keeping the ball, right up to the attackers – the likes of Lautaro (Martinez), (Edin) Dzeko and (Romelu) Lukaku.”
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Guardiola continued, when comparing Inter to United’s approach with an implicit correlation between the goalkeeper: “If you look at United, for example, it is long ball. With Rashford and another one (forward) to run onto.
“But Inter are different, they keep the ball. That is why you have to think about what you have to do. With the ball, Inter are very, very good – that is why they are in the Champions League final. We have great respect and admiration for how they play but we have to find a way to beat them.”
Guardiola had also praised Inter goalkeeper Onana ahead of the final in a press conference: "For the way they play, with the high press, Onana is an exceptional goalkeeper to take the position to build-up. Really, really good."
