Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has defended Sadio Mane after the Liverpool star received a red card during the Premier League encounter on Saturday which the Citizens went on to win 5-0.
Mane was given his marching orders in the 37th minute after referee Jon Moss conceded that his collision with City goalkeeper Ederson was dangerous. The Brazilian had to be taken off following the incident and was replaced by Claudio Bravo.
While revealing that Ederson did not suffer a broken bone as a result of the incident, Guardiola refused to condemn Mane following the incident, realizing that the player did not intend on causing harm.
The Spanish boss said, “The action is hard. I cannot think a player like Mane is going to make a challenge this hard to the face (deliberately) so I think he followed the ball. But the action is dangerous.
“I don’t know if it is red card or not but I am pretty sure it was not a red card for KW (Kyle Walker) against Everton.
“I think it is not broken the bone. That is so important. He will be more beautiful after that news! Hopefully he can come back as soon as possible.
“Of course it was not intentional from Mane, he didn’t see him but the impact was hard. Hopefully Ederson can work and stay. Maybe he will not play in the next game.”
