Pepe backs Bravo over goal slip-up

PEP GUARDIOLA leapt to the defence of debut-making keeper Claudio Bravo after the Chilean gifted rivals United the goal that almost got them back into the Manchester derby.

Bravo, whose ability with his feet caused Guardiola to ditch England No.1 Joe Hart, spilled a cross to Zlatan Ibrahimovic with City 2-0 up to give United a lifeline.

However, the Spaniard who has a 100% record as City boss, refused to countenance any criticism of his £17m signing from Barcelona, instead reserving high praise for his display.

“What Claudio did today was one of the best performances I’ve ever seen,” he said after City held out for a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford.

“After that incident he continued to play. That personality means a lot to me because it’s not that you make a mistake it’s how you react to it.

“The goal was more the brilliant reaction from Ibrahimovic than the fault of Claudio.

“Claudio’s personality showed me a lot today. After that he was amazing with his feet, saves, going to attack the ball.

“I am happy for him. It is not easy the first game after two training sessions coming to Old Trafford.

“In the second half he played again and again with the ball. I know it’s a risk.

“If we lose the ball it’s a goal against us, but when we win in that way, we win many, many things.

“I try to convince the players to control the game, to dominate and concede as few chances as possible.

“But when you play at Manchester United, you’re not going to dominate for 90 minutes.”

Despite all the hype about the rivalry with Mourinho, the game was bookended by handshakes and hugs between the two.

“I don’t know if he respects me but I respect him a lot,” said Guardiola.

“He wants to win, I want to win. He beats me and I beat him in the future.

“We are adult people and sometimes we don’t agree about our opinions.”