Pep Guardiola and Amadou Onana were pictured engaged in an awkward post-match exchange after Aston Villa’s win over Manchester City.
After City fell to their sixth league defeat of the campaign, Erling Haaland and Onana were spotted in conversation on the pitch.
A frustrated Guardiola waded over to the two players and shook hands with the Villa midfielder before making his way down the tunnel.
The exchange led to some supporters on social media speculating that Guardiola was attempting to entice the Belgian to join his side in the January window.
One wrote: ‘Guardiola and Haaland probably asking Onana what his plans are for January.’
Another added: ‘Pep Guardiola trying to drag Amadou Onana over to his team LOL He needs a profile like that right now.’
Pep Guardiola was pictured joining in a conversation between Erling Haaland and Amandou Onana after Man City’s loss to Aston Villa
Fans on social media speculated that Guardiola was attempting to lure the midfielder to his side
A third agreed: ‘What was Guardiola telling Amadou Onana? Can you come deliver me in January? Or what?’
The Premier League champions travelled down to Villa Park in the midst of their worst-ever run of form since Guardiola took the reins in 2016.
Any hopes that Saturday’s clash would prove to be the turning point of their dismal spell were quickly dashed however as Villa immediately seized the initiative at Villa Park.
Stefan Ortega was twice forced into action during the early going but was helpless to intervene on 16 minutes as Jhon Duran finished off a blitzing counter to put the hosts into the lead.
Tensions in the game threatened to boil over at half time as Jack Grealish and Emi Martinez became embroiled in a heated exchange on the way down the tunnel, with the Argentine subsequently booked for his involvement.
Despite having less of the ball, Villa looked like the more likely of the two sides to score after the restart.
Unai Emery’s side were rewarded for their persistence as Morgan Rogers netted against his former club just after the hour mark.
Phil Foden’s goal in stoppage time offered a faint hope of a comeback for the visitors but it was ultimately too little too late.
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