Pep Guardiola will have a friendly discussion with Fernandinho about whether to extend the Manchester City captain’s contract for another year.
The City manager paid a glowing tribute to the veteran midfielder, who turns 36 in May and whose deal expires at the end of the season.
Fernandinho, who is in his eighth season at City, is no longer a first choice but has excelled when used of late, scoring in the 2-0 League Cup semi-final win over Manchester United and playing well against Sheffield United on Saturday.
“We will talk as a friend. You cannot imagine the respect I have for him," Guardiola said. "It’s something that is special for me, not only on the pitch but also off, thinking what’s best for the team. All the time you can count on him.”
Fernandinho was voted captain by his fellow players after David Silva left, but Guardiola endorsed their choice and praised the Brazilian for teaching Rodri his role in midfield.
“He leads this group and I am very satisfied he was chosen as our captain," the Catalan said. "Magnificent. All the nice things that happen are well deserved. He’s made an incredible performance, doing the uncomfortable things. He’s an example for Rodri who will be the holding mid for many years here.
“He knows perfectly his role. He cannot play three games a week like Rodri. Always he has the feet on the ground and that’s the best we can get as a group, feet on the ground all the time. That’s why when he plays he’s played good.”
Guardiola was also delighted with Bernardo Silva's performance on Saturday. The Portuguese has been in fine form, delivering a terrific display in the 3-1 win at Chelsea and opening his account for the season with a two goals against Birmingham City and then the opener against Aston Villa.
Guardiola said the midfielder had endured a difficult time last year after being charged and banned by the FA for a tweet to teammate Benjamin Mendy.
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Manchester City v Sheffield United player ratings
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MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Ederson – 6. Fielded a tame Brewster shot from the edge of the box. And that was about all he had to do to earn his wages. Reuters -
Kyle Walker – 6. His pace was important a number of times to cover his fellow defenders against Burke. Rarely ventured forward to join the attack, though. AP -
Aymeric Laporte – 6. Did not always look comfortable with Burke rumbling towards him, or in the air against him, either. AP -
Ruben Dias – 7. Snuffed out an early break by Burke, and looked his usual classy self. Could have done better with a header at a corner just after the break, though. Getty -
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 7. Went looking for work in central midfield, given he was largely underemployed in defence. Guilty of a foul throw, as Bernardo Silva was. Saw a shot from distance saved in the second half. EPA -
Fernandinho – 7. Pulled the strings during City’s early dominance, progressing play with incisive passing, and was characteristically destructive whenever the Blades did make it forward. EPA -
Ilkay Gundogan – 7. City failed to make the most of a number of threatening crosses from dead balls by the Germany midfielder. Always keen to get on the ball. AP -
Bernardo Silva – 6. At the heart of plenty of City’s best attacking moments, albeit without his usual dynamism. Being pinged for a foul throw summed up the fact he was just slightly off key. EPA -
Ferran Torres – 8. Great perseverance set up the ninth-minute goal for Jesus, and he was City’s most potent attacking threat for much of the remainder. Getty -
Phil Foden – 6. Looked worryingly groggy after a clash of heads with Lundstram. Made some gliding runs, without creating many clear openings. AFP -
Gabriel Jesus – 7. Applied a calm finish after Torres teed him up for the goal. May have doubled his tally if not for a gymnastic save by Ramsdale in injury time. PA -
SUBSTITUTES: Rodrigo – NA. Brought on for Torres late on as Pep Guardiola tried to close out the game. Which was odd to see from the league leaders against the side in last place. PA -
SHEFFIELD UNITED RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale – 8. Fortune favoured him when he bravely threw himself at Jesus’ feet following a right-wing cross. Made a showy save to turn away a shot from Zinchenko. Saved the ensuing corner, too. EPA -
George Baldock – 7. Tried to spark his side after they went with a purposeful run into City’s box. Shackled Foden well, although he was booked for fouling him late on. AP -
Chris Basham – 7. City might have overwhelmingly dominated possession, but Basham rarely looked overrun in defence. He was sacrificed in a late double substitution as Chris Wilder chased points. Getty -
John Egan – 7. Well placed to help Bogle thwart Torres following a clever pass from Walker in the second half, and he kept close tabs on Jesus throughout. Yellow carded for dragging back Fernandinho. AFP -
Ethan Ampadu – 5. The on-loan defender messed up twice for the opener, with a limp header followed by an even limper attempted tackle on Torres. Getty -
John Lundstram – 6. Let possession slip to end one of the brightest moments for the Blades in a tough first half, but leant plenty of heft to the defensive effort. AP -
John Fleck – 7. His sloppy giveaway at the start of the second phase presented a chance to City, which they were unable to take. Got through a lot of work spoiling City’s creative players. His blistering late drive whistled inches wide. AP -
Oliver Norwood – 6. Got lucky when his header back to goal found Bernardo Silva, only for his flick on to be save by Ramsdale. Yellow carded for a foul on Foden. AFP -
Jayden Bogle – 6. Stuck to his task against Bernardo Silva, but Torres did get the better of him a number of times, including for the opener. Miscued a shooting chance in the second half. AFP -
Rhian Brewster – 5. Had Sheffield United’s one shot on target, but it was powder puff stuff. Other than that, he was scarcely a presence up front for the Blades. Getty -
Oliver Burke – 7. The strapping forward’s bullocking runs were a feature of the Blades resistance. Cut a tired figured as he tried his best to harry the City backline towards the end. AP -
SUBSTITUTES: David McGoldrick – 6. In the 30 minutes he got at the end, his most notable contributions were clearing from his own box. AFP -
Billy Sharp – NA. Did his best to impress himself on the encounter, in the short time he was given at the end. PA -
Ollie McBurnie – NA. Suffered a blow to the head almost as soon as he had made it onto the field as a substitute late on. PA
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“It was a tough period for him, when he was being accused of something he’s not,” said the City manager. “It was so hurtful for him. He showed his humility in the bad moments. He struggled mentally. Still I cannot understand it. I am delighted he’s back, he can do everything. What a competitor: he had an incredible game. He is another top player who always does the service of the team.”
Since the Football League was founded in 1888, City became the first team to record nine wins in all competitions in a January.
If their record is partly the product of a crowded fixture list, Guardiola believes his players deserve credit for their consistency, especially in difficult circumstances and after playing eight matches the previous month.
“Absolutely, we know how tough January was after December,” he said. “We cannot express ourselves by going to restaurants. To achieve this is quite remarkable, I didn’t expect it. I said to the players we’ve finished the first leg, it’s remarkable what you’ve done and now keep going. Now go home and rest and prepare for Burnley.”
