How Pep Guardiola kept in contact with Man City bench during Sheffield United game

Pep Guardiola was 'totally present' at Bramall Lane for Manchester City's Premier League win over Sheffield United - despite recovering from back surgery in Barcelona.

Assistant Juanma Lillo took charge as Rodri's late goal secured three points, handing Guardiola his 200th Premier League win in the process.

Lillo had promised that Guardiola would be fully involved in the planning and tactical approach for the game, while remaining in contact during the 90 minutes, and confirmed that the manager was in regular contact with the City bench on Sunday.

However, despite a win under his belt, Lillo insisted that he has not particularly enjoyed being number one over the last week, and is looking forward to Guardiola's return after the international break.

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"During the match I spoke to him in some moments but generally it was other members of the backroom staff," Lillo explained. "But he’s been totally present. If there had been more space on the bench I wouldn’t have sat in his seat, I have to sit in my seat, Pep’s seat is Pep’s seat.

"But it’s as if he was here today, the only thing missing was the figure [of Guardiola] he was here the whole time."

When asked if he was enjoying the step up in Guardiola's absence, Lillo replied instantly to say: "No, not at all. I much prefer being with Pep. Especially when it’s a question of health.

"I don’t enjoy this at all, not at all. Both when I was here before and now, Pep makes the people at his side feel valued, we don’t need his absence, if anything we need his presence more than ever."

Lillo also backed goalscorer Haaland after his first-half missed penalty, saying that could happen to anyone and the