Sterling’s sky high under Pep guidance

WAYNE Rooney credits Pep Guardiola with the improvement in City forward Raheem Sterling.

England international Sterling has transformed his finishing under the manager after a frustrating first season at the Etihad while Manuel Pellegrini was in charge. The 25-year-old may currently be in a drought but has already hit double figures for Premier League goals, the third consecutive year he has achieved that landmark.

Sterling has put a lot of work into improving his game, and also worked with Mikel Arteta when the Arsenal manager was an assistant at City between 2016 and 2019.

United great Rooney was around Sterling on England duty for five years before retiring from international football in 2017. After moving to the US following a brief return to Everton, the 34-year-old is back in English football playing for Championship side Derby County.

And while he understands the work that Sterling has put in to improve his own game, he believes that Guardiola deserves praise for bringing the best out of the player and improving his decision-making.

“Raheem’s a player who played on instinct, a lot of ability, and you’re only seeing the best of him now,” Rooney told The Sunday Times. “He has worked on it himself but it’s because of Pep Guardiola. Guardiola has got him in a mindset to know the game better and you see a massive difference. It’s knowing the right time to do things and Guardiola is the best at teaching that, in my opinion.”