Pep Guardiola will be pleased to see Nathan Redmond on fire

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Last December, Manchester City defeated Southampton 2-1 at The Etihad Stadium. A last minute goal from Raheem Sterling gave them all three points after Mark Hughes’s side had done their best spoiling effort in Manchester.

However, the big story of the game was an altercation between City boss Pep Guardiola and Southampton winger Nathan Redmond after the game.

Guardiola appeared to be angry at the player, however, Redmond later confirmed Guardiola was, in fact, being complimentary.

“Yes he was very passionate, intense and aggressive but he was only very complimentary and positive to me.

“He commented on my qualities as a young English player and how he wanted me to attack his team more during the game in a similar way to last season.

“I told him I was doing what my manager had asked me to do in the game. That’s it. Nothing more, nothing less.”

– Nathan Redmond on Pep Guardiola conversation

Simply put, the City boss felt Redmond was being wasted playing a defensive game. Under Hughes, it is fair to say Redmond was not being asked to express himself for the Saints.

However, it is clear that has now changed.

Hughes is out at St Mary’s. Ralph Hasenhuttl has taken over and the Austrian prefers a far more attacking style of play.

Redmond has thrived since. In the past two games, he has scored one goal and assisted two. In his previous 16 league games, this season the 24-year-old failed to register either. Clearly, he is enjoying the chance to be more attacking under Hasenhuttl.

Guardiola will be pleased.