Pep Guardiola insists ‘no problem’ with Man Utd rival Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after duo’s heated touchline row
PEP GUARDIOLA shrugged off a heated touchline exchange with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Manchester United ended Man City’s run of 21 wins.
Etihad chief Guardiola swapped animated words with his counterpart after a quick City throw-in stopped United immediately replacing injured striker Marcus Rashford.
Solskjaer protested with waving arms before Mason Greenwood eventually came on, United then successfully maintaining their 2-0 lead.
Quizzed by Sky Sports afterwards, Guardiola brushed aside the matter, shaking his head and saying: “Ah, no problem, no problem – it’s solved.”
That was also how it had looked by the touchline too – as Solskjaer finished the incident with a fist-bump peace offering.
Stuck in the middle was fourth official Mike Dean.
Video later emerged showing the pair embracing and chatting long after the full-time whistle had blown.
Ultimately, Rashford’s apparent blow to his foot will be the main concern for United over that period of play.
After Bruno Fernandes’ second-minute penalty opener, the England star burst forward powerfully to tee up Luke Shaw for a fine victory sealer on 50 minutes.
But after later going down hurt, while sprinting back to help his team defend, Rashford was given treatment on the Etihad sidelines.
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And United decided the 23-year-old’s knock was too serious to risk.
So Greenwood prepared to come on as United keeper Dean Henderson booted the ball into touch.
But City took the throw before the 19-year-old was fully ready.
And Henderson was not the only one furious by that action.
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Solskjaer swapped verdicts on the matter robustly with rival Guardiola.
But after calm was restored, Guardiola will be more focused on so many of City’s main men falling below their usual standards.
That was thanks in part to Solskjaer’s pressing tactics as United went second, with a fine tactical triumph cutting the deficit on their neighbours to 11 points.
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