Pep Guardiola says Bernardo Silva is unique but Man City ace can improve one area of his game

Manchester City are confident that Bernardo Silva will sign a contract extension to keep him at the club for the foreseeable future.

And after Pep Guardiola hailed the 27-year-old ace as “unique” following his two-goal contribution to the Blues’ 5-0 Champions League demolition of Sporting Lisbon, the need to tie him up is even greater.

Bernardo has become the living embodiment of Guardiola’s football essence - a gifted but selfless player whose technical ability and tactical nous are matched only by his incredible capacity for work and his aggression when City do not have the ball.

Guardiola described the Portugal international as a one-off after he responded to the jeers of the Sporting faithful - mindful of his Benfica past - with a virtuoso display in a symphony of a performance from the team.

Asked whether there is anyone else like him on the planet, Guardiola said: “Just Bernardo. Bernardo is unique.

“First as a person, his mum and dad have to be so proud because he's a lovely, lovely person.

“He's so generous whether he plays or doesn't play. He can play in six roles easily. He doesn't just play football, he understands the game.

“There are players that play good with the ball but he understands every action like few in the world. I hope he stays at Manchester City for many, many years but he and the club will decide.”

Like Guardiola, he is a perfectionist.

The manager’s first response to the win at the Jose Alvalade Stadium was to berate his players for sloppiness on the ball and being a little greedy at times.

Interestingly, Bernardo had said roughly the same thing to the TV cameras moments earlier.

"A very good win," he said. "I think in the first half we weren't that good to be winning 4-0, we were a bit