FOOTBALL: Guardiola explains why Ronaldo’s absence was beneficial to Man United in their 4-1 loss to City

Pep Guardiola appeared to have made a dig at Cristiano Ronaldo following Manchester City’s 4-1 victory over Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

United’s aggression in the opening half of the match without Ronaldo in the lineup appears to have impressed the Spaniard.

Manchester United can do it without Cristiano Ronaldo in the lineup, according to the former Barcelona coach.

Kevin de Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez each scored twice in either half as Manchester United were thrashed 4-1.

During the first half, when United played admirably against City, Jadon Sancho pulled one back for United, who went into halftime 2-1 down.

Ronaldo was supposed to have suffered a hip ailment on Friday and was unable to play, but Guardiola believes this was a blessing in disguise in terms of the team’s ability to push and display aggression.

“They make a 4-2-4, which is very aggressive given Ralf’s philosophy. “They can do it without Cristiano,” Guardiola told the press after the match.

“They were really aggressive, and we had a hard time dealing with them.”

“I’d say we had more chances on the counter-attack in the first half than we did with possession,” he remarked.

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