Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola revealed his decision to start Kelechi Iheanacho in the derby came down to sending a message to his players about his intentions at Old Trafford.
The teenage Nigeria international rewarded his boss with a goal and an assist in City’s 2-1 win over Manchester United on Saturday.
With Sergio Aguero suspended, Guardiola said he had other options – but opted for Iheanacho to show his players what he wanted.
“He was the only striker we had in that moment,” the Spaniard said, via the Manchester Evening News. “I thought about many other options – but I thought in the beginning to show to my players that I came to win the game.”
Despite being just 19, Iheanacho, who is now City’s youngest ever goalscorer in the Manchester derby, is unfazed by playing in the Premier League and was hugely impressive on Saturday, creating two chances and completing 75% of his attempted passes.
Aguero is likely to return to the starting line-up for the Champions League encounter at home to Borussia Monchengladbach in midweek, but Iheanacho has demonstrated that he can be an extremely important member of Guardiola’s squad this season.
City have made a superb start to the Premier League season, winning all four of their games so far, and at this early juncture they appear favourites for the title.
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