Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said that he likes to be critical of Leroy Sane’s performances for the club. The Germany international has been in-and-out of the starting lineup over the course of the season, but he has nonetheless been effective with a sublime tally of 16 goals and 15 assists across all competitions.

Speaking after the Manchester derby win, Guardiola said that Sane was incredible on the playing field against United, where he popped up with the second goal after coming on as a substitute. He added that he always likes to be critical of the former Schalke man, considering the youngster can be more consistent with his performances.

He said: “At half-time Fernandinho had little muscular problems in both legs. I thought to put Leroy in maybe later but the way he came in was incredible. In that position he made our game quicker. Leroy attacking the byline is a special player. I am so demanding of him and sometimes I like to be critical of him. We know his potential and we want to help him to be more consistent in his game. Not just in his actions with the ball, without too, and today he was so good and played at a high level.”

The Citizens’ game against Manchester United was largely touted as the make or break challenge for the club in terms of securing the Premier League title and they managed to pass with flying colours with a comfortable 2-0 triumph. With the result, the Citizens have the destiny in their own hands to retain the English crown and they just need to maintain their winning league streak for the remaining three games.

Guardiola’s side are no longer in the running to secure the quadruple after the Champions League quarter-final exit at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur but they can nonetheless celebrate a domestic treble at the end of the season. The same can be considered as progress from the previous season where they managed a League Cup and Premier League double.