Redmond rejects speculation Guardiola berated him: 'He complimented me'

(Warning: Story contains coarse language)

Southampton winger Nathan Redmond has put to bed speculation that Pep Guardiola reamed him out after the Saints' narrow 2-1 defeat to Manchester City on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old took exception to The Sun's allegation that Guardiola called Redmond a "wanker" in a heated post-match exchange.

(Courtesy: @NathanRedmond22)

In reality, Redmond said on Twitter, the manager was effusive in his praise:

I want to make it absolutely clear that the Man City manager, Pep Guardiola, did not say what The Sun is falsely claiming in this story. Yes, he was very passionate, intense, and aggressive, but he was only very complimentary and positive to me. He commented on my qualities as a young English player and how he wanted me to attack his team more during the game in a similar way to last season.

I told him I was doing what my manager had asked me to do in the game. That's it. Nothing more, nothing less. Nothing negative or offensive was said towards me from Pep and that's what makes him one of the best managers in world football.

British tabloids had been convinced Guardiola was upset with Redmond over his time-wasting tactics. The former Barcelona boss put his arm around the player before appearing to yell at him.

Guardiola maintained afterwards he only wanted to remind Redmond "how good a player he is."

He added, "Last season he destroyed us here. I didn't know him last season, I realised how good he is. Southampton have some super-talented players, Redmond is so good one against one."

Guardiola has reached out to opposition players in the past. In February, he approached Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter following a 2-0 win at the Vitality Stadium to offer his best wishes with the birth of his child. In December 2015, Arter's daughter Renee had arrived stillborn.