The defender put in a impressive shift versus The Red Devils on Wednesday night.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola
Manchester City’s EFL Cup defeat to bitter rivals Manchester United was the sixth game for Pep Guardiola without a win.
In the face of defeat however, there were a few reasons to raise a wry grin on the face of the Spaniard.
Such grounds for optimism were the performances of midfielder Aleix Garcia and particularly defender Pablo Maffeo.
The 19 year-old stood in for injured team-mates Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta at right-back but impressed versus Jose Mourinho’s side.
Marshalling the pacy Marcus Rashford on the right of defence, Maffeo stuck to the England international like glue and gave few scraps away.
Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford in action with Manchester City’s Pablo Maffeo
With both first-choice men out, Guardiola can’t have failed to be impressed with the youngster, galloping up and down the flank, like a Zabaleta of five years ago.
His defensive timing was also impeccable for a player of such in-experience. The Spanish full-back cut out dangerous final balls across the boughs of the visitors’ goal on more than one occasion. The stats also paint an aesthetic portrait.
Statistically, Maffeo was Manchester City’s second most successful performer on the night, behind Nicolás Otamendi.
The full-back made three winning tackles, compared to the Argentine’s five. Maffeo finished came close to centre-back pairing Otamendi and Vincent Kompany in terms of clearances, two short with six.
Manchester United’s Paul Pogba in action with Manchester City’s Pablo Maffeo
The Spaniard however finished tied with midfielder Fernando with three interceptions – the most of any player on either side. Maffeo did make the most blocks by any player at Old Trafford.
Pep Guardiola has already played the teenager this season – albeit with a five goal lead for The Citizens – at home versus Steaua Bucharest in the UEFA Champions League qualifying playoff second leg.
Maffeo’s performance would have been food for thought for his manager, with Manchester City having kept just four clean sheets so far this term.
With Sagna and Zabaleta both struggling to make this weekend’s trip to West Bromwich Albion, could Guardiola be toying with the idea of unleashing the youngster versus a typically stubborn Baggies outfit?
Furthermore, after speculation of a move for another full-back with names including Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin, could the diminutive Spanish starlet already be the answer within their ranks?
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