Pep Guardiola responds to Facundo Pellistri’s comments on Manchester City fans

Manchester United winger Facundo Pellistri stated that he ‘doesn’t see’ Manchester City shirts or flags in the city ahead of the Manchester derby.

Pellistri, 20, has made six appearances for Erik ten Hag’s side so far this term and will likely be in the matchday squad for the upcoming clash.

Ahead of the game, whilst speaking to Uruguayan journalist Martin Charquero, the winger suggested that Manchester is not really filled with blue shirts: “Manchester is all about United. You don’t see City shirts or flags. Sometimes, with my girlfriend, we go out and say let’s try to find one and we don’t see them.”

The young talent originally joined the Old Trafford club in the summer of 2020 but this will be his first chance to appear in a derby game for United.

Pep Guardiola has since responded to the comments from the Urguagyan international in a manner typical of the Spanish manager.

“I will speak with the Puma department, and ask, ‘What happened? Why we don’t have shirts [in Manchester]?'” said Guardiola. Puma, of course, has a shirt sponsorship deal with United’s rivals.

Pep added: “It’s ok. If this guy and his girlfriend believe that, it’s fine…”

After different spells on loan in prior seasons, Pellistri has remained at the club for this season and fans urged the manager to give him chances last month.

He made his debut in the Champions League against Bayern Munich during the chaotic 4-3 loss.

The Man City boss has also addressed the form of United goalkeeper Andre Onana, who saved a last-minute penalty against Copenhagen on Tuesday after a difficult start to life at Old Trafford.

“Hopefully not,” added Guardiola when asked if he thinks Onana will play like he did for Inter Milan in the Champions League final in May. “Hopefully we can beat him, but before the game I always expect the best of the players we are going to face. I prefer to see what are their strengths rather than their weakness.

“He saved a penalty in the last minute to help them stay in the race to qualify [for the Champions League knock-out stages] and it’s a good boost for them and for him.”