Pep Guardiola's treatment of Leroy Sane could backfire on Man City after winger seizes chance

On target: Sane celebrates after wrapping up victory at Old Trafford
AP

Pep Guardiola’s tough love approach to Leroy Sane paid off in spectacular fashion at Old Trafford.

The Manchester City winger’s second half strike killed off Wednesday's derby and put the Premier League champions within touching distance of back-to-back titles.

While a 2-0 win emphasised the gulf in class between the Manchester rivals, so has Guardiola’s treatment of Sane this season.

The City manager has had the luxury of reducing last season’s PFA Young Player of the Year to a near bit part role at times in his side’s pursuit of a domestic treble.

Sane was named on the bench for all three games against Tottenham in the Champions League and Premier League over the past two weeks - and was a substitute again for the critical match with Manchester United on Wednesday.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could only dream of being able to keep such quality in reserve.

In Pictures | Man Utd vs Man City, Manchester derby | 24/04/2019

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While Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez and Anthony Martial were benched by the United manager for the derby - their exclusion was a direct result of their ineffectual performances on the pitch.

Guardiola’s handling of Sane has felt like something more since the start of the season.

There have been concerns over the 23-year-old’s attitude - but a return of 19 goals this season is evidence of his continued influence on the pitch.

Coming off the bench for the injured Fernandinho shortly after half time at Old Trafford, his direct runs at United’s defence almost immediately swung the match in City’s favour.

Bernardo Silva’s strike gave the visitors the lead before Sane sealed the points.

It was also his winner against Liverpool back in January that looks increasingly decisive in this title race.

Guardiola has been coy about his handling of Sane, whose position was put under threat by last summer’s club record £60m signing of Riyad Mahrez, claiming he “knows the reason why” he doesn’t play on a more regular basis.

But his appreciation of the forward was evident in the immediate aftermath of victory at Old Trafford when heading straight for Sane and embracing him on the pitch.

Leroy Sane killed off Man Utd with City's second at Old Trafford
AFP/Getty Images

“Leroy attacking down the line is a special player so I am so demanding to him sometimes - not sometimes,” said the Catalan. “I like to be critical of him because we know his potential and we want to help him be more consistent not just in his actions with the ball, without it too.

“Today he was so good, he played in a high level.”

It was clear evidence Guardiola believes Sane requires a firmer approach. But with the former Schalke player still to agree a long-term contract extension, it has the potential to backfire on City, who have been desperately trying to convince him to commit his future to the club.

Sane’s focus right now is on the title and he believes the win against United will be critical.

“It's an important game and it's also really important for the Premier League,” he said. “If you have that late a derby and you win the game it gives you a lot of confidence.

“We just have three games left to play and everyone wants to do the back to back.”

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