Pep Guardiola has labelled Bernardo Silva as "one of the best players" that he has ever seen after the Portuguese starred in Manchester City's comfortable 3-0 Premier League win over rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Although Erling Haaland scored twice and set up another, breaking a fresh Premier League record in the process, Bernardo scooped the Man of the Match award for his brilliant all-round display as the Citizens strolled to a dominant victory in the 191st Manchester derby.
The versatile playmaker set up Haaland for City's second goal four minutes after half time with a perfectly-weighted delivery towards the back post, and he created a total of three key chances while also contributing with a 100% success rate in tackles, take-ons and shot accuracy.
Bernardo has been an integral cog in Guardiola's machine since arriving at Man City in 2017, and the Citizens boss heaped praise on the 29-year-old after another impressive display.
"He doesn't have any tattoos or a nice car – he is an incredible player for us," Guardiola told Sky Sports. "He loves to play at Old Trafford. He's played as false nine in the past and he has the ability to make a lot of passes.
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"He is so intelligent – everyone loves him, and it was another exceptional performance. He's one of the best players I've ever seen in my life. I've trained a lot and he's one of the best."
Guardiola has heaped praise on City's team performance after the win over Man United and believes that Haaland's second goal set up by Bernardo was an important moment in the contest.
"The second goal helped us a lot. We talked at half time and thought they would be more aggressive," Guardiola added. "We made two incredible build-ups with Ruben [Dias] and Ederson. After we dropped and after Bernardo and Jack [Grealish] made a good action and those were the key points of the game.
"The first seven minutes we lost the ball because we didn't do simple things. We allowed them to make a transition. The second half was brilliant.
"Of course today, its special for the scenario because we won at Old Trafford. We are so proud."
Bernardo has described Man City's latest triumph against Man United as "one of the best" for the club at Old Trafford, adding: "Definitely one of the best wins here. Especially away from home.
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"At home it is a little bit easier, because the crowd is with us, they get us in our momentum, they create the energy for us. To win here 3-0, with this crowd, I think it's one of the best performances we've done in the past."
"When we come to these types of places, Anfield, Old Trafford, we know what teams are waiting for - for us to lose the ball and counter," Bernardo continued. "It's all about the build-up, not losing the simple balls, controlling the game and being slow in the first metres of our half, in goal kicks and in our half of the pitch and when we break through, be quick and attack.
"That's what we did really well in the second half. So happy with the performance. So happy with the three points. It's never easy to come here and beat this team.
"It was a good game for us today. Apart from a few simple balls that we lost, we didn't give them much to counter and the way we controlled the game.
"The first 30 minutes of the second half we were really good. What we lacked against Arsenal in the pressing we had it today, we were fabulous."
Man City, who sit third in the Premier League table with 24 points after 10 games, will look to close the two-point gap to league leaders Tottenham Hotspur when they play host to Bournemouth next Saturday.
Oliver Thomas
