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Manuel Neuer to Manchester City: Joe Hart 'under threat' as Pep Guardiola wants to sign Bayern Munich goalkeeper

Hart has been City's first-choice goalkeeper since emrging from their academy but could face competition from the man regarded as the best in the world

Jack de Menezes

Friday 04 March 2016 10:17 GMT

Manuel Neuer could follow Pep Guardiola to Manchester City in the summer (Getty Images)

Joe Hart’s future as Manchester City’s first-choice goalkeeper has been cast into doubt after the possibility of Pep Guardiola bringing Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer with him to the Etihad Stadium arose, according to reports.

Guardiola will arrive in the Premier League in the summer to replace Manuel Pellegrini as City manager, with the Spaniard already confirming the deal that will see him leave Bayern after three years in Germany.

A major squad overhaul is expected upon his arrival given City’s struggles in the Premier League of late, with their inability to challenge Chelsea last season compounded by their inconsistency this term which sees them down in fourth place and 10 points behind leaders Leicester, albeit with a game in hand.

It’s believed that while the goalkeeper berth is not a problem position in the City squad, Guardiola would like to bring in Neuer should Bayern be willing to let go of the World Cup winner. The 29-year-old still has three years left to run on his current contract, although The Mirror claim he could be in line for a substantial pay rise should City come calling with the club said to be willing to pay him up to £300,000-a-week,

Replacing Hart would be one of Guardiola’s first big calls given the England No 1 is a firm fan favourite and has hardly put a foot wrong during his time with the club, having developed in to one of the best shot stoppers in the Premier League.

Liverpool vs Man City player ratings

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1/23Liverpool vs Man City player ratings

Liverpool vs Man City player ratings

Simon Mignolet - 5 out of 10

Having made an excellent save from Aguero in the first half, the often-criticised Liverpool goalkeeper was badly at fault for the opening goal, allowing Fernandinho to find the back of the net despite a tight angle. Made up for it somewhat with some crucial interventions late in the game and a particularly good stop from Aguero in extra-time.

2016 Liverpool FC

Liverpool vs Man City player ratings

Nathaniel Clyne - 6 out of 10

Found Sterling a nuisance all afternoon and when he fouled the Man City winger for a third time, ended up in the book. Was a useful asset going forward.

Liverpool vs Man City player ratings

Lucas - 6 out of 10

Made a dirty challenge on Aguero that on another day might have led to a red card - yet remarkably the Brazilian escaped without so much as a booking. Considering he's naturally a midfielder, Lucas did pretty well at the back in the first period but things got the better of him in the second with Man City's world-class talent exposing him. Booked.

2016 Liverpool FC

Liverpool vs Man City player ratings

Mamadou Sakho - 4 out of 10

Reluctantly replaced after 25 minutes soon after a clash of heads with Can. Looked uncertain before the head injury, even more so after it with Aguero nearly capitalising on the Frenchman's unsure footing.

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Liverpool vs Man City player ratings

Alberto Moreno - 3 out of 10

Unbelievably lucky not to concede a penalty when after being wrong footed by Aguero he stuck out a leg to trip the Argentinian in the box. In addition lost possession in decent positions and failed to make as much of a dent when going forward as Clyne on the opposite wing. Sacrificed by Klopp for Lallana with 20 minutes to go and Liverpool needing a goal. Booked.

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Liverpool vs Man City player ratings

James Milner - 4 out of 10

Up against his former employers Milner did little but stand in an offside position when Liverpool were looking at their most dangerous. While his effort can never be questioned, his quality can and in this match his lack of it showed, particularly when his header back to Mignolet was nearly converted into a Man City goal by Aguero.

Liverpool vs Man City player ratings

Jordan Henderson - 5 out of 10

Showed some metal in midfield but the Liverpool captain just lacks that killer pass and influence to turn a final the way his predeccessor with the armband Steven Gerrard could.

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Liverpool vs Man City player ratings

Emre Can - 4 out of 10

Came off the better in the clash of heads with Sakho but not so well in the midfield battle with Man City. Ineffective for the most part. Booked.

2016 Liverpool FC

Liverpool vs Man City player ratings

Philippe Coutinho - 7 out of 10

The Brazilian is arguably Liverpool's greatest asset when it comes to match-turning moments and he proved it when keeping calm to put Liverpool back on level terms. But overall he was given few opportunities to settle on the ball and make an impact. Booked.

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Liverpool vs Man City player ratings

Roberto Firmino - 5 out of 10

Largely anonymous, much in part due to Man City's excellent defensive work in midfield.

Liverpool vs Man City player ratings

Daniel Sturridge - 6 out of 10

The England international was forced to start dropping deep in search of the ball due to the lack of service. Showed his quality with his link-up play around Man City's penalty area but frustratingly for him didn't get on the ball where he could have made an impact on the score-sheet.

2016 Liverpool FC

Liverpool vs Man City player ratings

Kolo Toure - 8 out of 10

Having been called into action much earlier than expected Toure performed tremendously well at the back. The moment he took the ball from younger brother Yaya was particularly notable.

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Liverpool vs Man City player ratings

Willy Caballero - 8 out of 10

Without question Manuel Pellegrini made the right call when he opted to stick by Joe Hart's understudy for the final. Got off his line quickly when needed and held onto the ball when others may have spilled it during the game, but made his greatest contribution in the shoot-out with saves from Lucas, Coutinho and Lallana.

Liverpool vs Man City player ratings

Bacary Sagna - 6 out of 10

The former Arsenal man showed his ability to whip in a dangerous cross and was sound at the back as Moreno and Coutinho were limited when attacking down the left. Replaced at start of extra-time.

Liverpool vs Man City player ratings

Vincent Kompany - 6 out of 10

Stepped out when needed to and brought that sense of assurance that inexplicably only he appears to be able to bring to Manchester City's defence. Booked.

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Liverpool vs Man City player ratings

Nicolas Otamendi - 7 out of 10

A rock at the back, putting pressure on Milner when the Liverpool midfielder looked like he might score and getting his head on anything that came his way. Booked in extra-time.

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Liverpool vs Man City player ratings

Gael Clichy - 5 out of 10

His crossing was nowhere near the standard shown on the other wing by Sagna but defensively did a decent job.

Liverpool vs Man City player ratings

Yaya Toure - 5 out of 10

Fernando gave Toure licence to get forward but the Ivory Coast international declined to take up the invitation and was one of Manchester City's less influential players.

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Liverpool vs Man City player ratings

Fernando - 8 out of 10

The stand-out player in midfield, keeping Coutinho and Firmino in check through his brilliant reading of the game and fierce tackling and intimidation. Understandably booked.

Liverpool vs Man City player ratings

Fernandinho - 8 out of 10

Considering he tends to play centrally, Fernandinho looked at home on the right of midfield and was rewarded with a goal from his fierce low drive from a tight angle. At the other end, was fortunate a foul on Sturridge was just outside the box in the first period. Replaced at start of extra-time.

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Liverpool vs Man City player ratings

David Silva - 7 out of 10

The Spaniard just oozes quality and his rapid quick-thinking link-up play a joy to watch throughout the afternoon. Replaced in extra-time with Bony.

2016 Liverpool FC

Liverpool vs Man City player ratings

Raheem Sterling - 5 out of 10

The £49m summer signing may have felt he had something to prove to his former employers, and certainly the fans who mercilessly booed him throughout due to his acrimonious departure from Anfield. He was a constant menace on the left wing and drew foul after foul. However he was culpable of a truly dreadful miss when the match was at 1-0 which probably would have seen City claim the trophy in the 90 minutes.

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Liverpool vs Man City player ratings

Sergio Aguero - 7 out of 10

As is usual, looks a cut above just about everyone else on the field. Set up Fernandinho's opening goal with a perfectly weighted pass and was only denied a goal of his own in the first period by a brilliant Mignolet save. Should also have been awarded a penalty when Moreno blatantly fouled him after being outwitted.

However, if he is trying to impress the incoming manager with his performances then he would not have been pleased with his showing in the 3-0 defeat by Liverpool on Wednesday night, where he was caught flat-footed by an Adam Lallana effort from outside the box that beat him at his near post.

One thing that could land in hart’s favour though is Bayern’s unwillingness to sell their players to Guardiola given the way that he dragged out his future before confirming his exit, and the former Barcelona head coach will also have to deal with strengthening the squad in areas that are much weaker than City are currently between the sticks.

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