“It’s difficult to work under Pep Guardiola” – Rayan Cherki handed career advice by Manchester United legend | OneFootball

Former Manchester United and France defender Patrice Evra has raved about Rayan Cherki but admitted the midfielder may not be able to flourish under Pep Guardiola.

Cherki has been a revelation since joining forces with Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium last summer from Lyon, having assumed the role of architect-in-chief in a transitional Manchester City side that bid an emotional farewell to Kevin De Bruyne in 2025.

Guardiola leaned heavily on Cherki in the first half of the season as the 22-year-old forged strong relationships with the likes of Phil Foden, Erling Haaland and Tijjani Reijnders in attack. However, Cherki has struggled for a regular look-in of late.

Manchester City signed Antoine Semenyo in January and the Ghana international has quickly established himself as one of the first names on Guardiola’s teamsheet, with Nico O’Reilly also moving up to midfield from left-back following the return of Rayan Ait-Nouri from the Africa Cup of Nations.

What has Patrice Evra said about Rayan Cherki at Manchester City?

In an interview with Stake, former Manchester United and France defender Patrice Evra has given his two cents about Cherki’s qualities as a player.

“Rayan Cherki is the kind of player that football is missing. All the ex-players like myself are crying to have more players like Cherki. They are fun,” Evra said.

However, Evra has warned Cherki that the positional rigidity he will have to work around at the Etihad Stadium can hinder him from unlocking his best potential.

The former left-back added: “It’s difficult to work under Pep Guardiola, he can be strict tactically and doesn’t like flair as much as others, but I think Cherki is a blessing to the football world.

“When I see him playing, I feel like I’m watching him on the street. He’s adapting to Guardiola’s system still and getting more minutes. When I see these players, it makes me want more of them.”

Why has Rayan Cherki struggled for minutes lately?

Haaland and Semenyo have occupied the two main attacking positions for Guardiola since January, with Omar Marmoush also fighting for the third spot up top as Cherki contests for minutes with a greater number of players in his position.

Meanwhile, Guardiola has found success in a midfield trio of O’Reilly, Bernardo Silva and Rodri and that has limited chances for the likes of Foden, Reijnders and Cherki in the attacking midfield areas of late.

City were humbled by Real Madrid in the opening leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie in midweek as Federico Valverde’s stunning hat-trick left the Blues with a mountain to climb in the return leg at the Etihad Stadium next week.

Cherki started on the bench at the Santiago Bernabeu and came on in the second-half to inject some creativity in what had until then been a toothless Manchester City attack, with Guardiola expected to call upon the Frenchman from the off against West Ham at the London Stadium on Saturday night.