The Scottish Mail on Sunday

Pep talk for Jesus as City boss backs him in Aguero’s absence

- By Joe Bernstein

MANCHESTER CITY striker Gabriel Jesus returns to the scene of his greatest triumph hoping it will bring a change of fortune in his struggle to fill the boots of Sergio Aguero.

Jesus goes to Southampto­n today without a goal in eight matches as City’s record scorer recovers from knee surgery.

Outspoken TV pundit Roy Keane said after the Brazilian was taken off against Liverpool on Thursday: ‘I don’t think he’s the answer. He’s a talented boy but replacing Aguero, not for me.’

However, City boss Pep Guardiola is backing the 23-year-old to start firing again, saying: ‘Gabriel is perfect for me and the team. He is complement­ary to Sergio. What one guy has, the other struggles with — and vice-versa.

‘Gabriel is unique. He is a fighter and helps us to be more aggressive.’

St Mary’s should at least bring happy memories for Jesus, whose late winner there in 2018 took City to 100 points and has been immortalis­ed in a mural outside the Etihad.

 ??  ?? LETHAL PAIRING: Robert Lewandowsk­i celebrates Bayern’s third with Serge Gnabry
LETHAL PAIRING: Robert Lewandowsk­i celebrates Bayern’s third with Serge Gnabry

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