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Pep Guardiola congratulates Paul Pogba on the pitch after Manchester United beat Manchester City

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Pep Guardiola congratulates Paul Pogba on the pitch after Man Utd spoil City's title party — Pep Guardiola made sure to congratulate Paul Pogba after the final whistle (Picture: Sky Sports)

Pep Guardiola congratulated Paul Pogba on the pitch after the under-fire Frenchman played a key role in spoiling Manchester Citys title party.

The runaway leaders looked certain to be crowned champions at half time in the Manchester derby after goals from Vincent Kompany and Ikay Gundogan powered the home side into a thoroughly deserved 2-0 lead.

Pogba had been heavily criticised in the build-up to the match for sporting blue hair by Gary Neville and the former Manchester United went even further during his in-game commentary by suggesting the 24-year-old would be Citys sixth choice midfielder.

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Manchester United's Paul Pogba celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game — Paul Pogba scored twice early in the second half to bring Manchester United level (Picture: Empics)

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola talks with Manchester United's Paul Pogba at the end of the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday April 7, 2018. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) — Pep Guardiola claimed he was offered the chance to sign Paul Pogba in January (Picture: AP)

The former Juventus star forced his doubters to eat their words with an emphatic second half performance, scoring twice within 10 minutes of the restart to draw his side level.

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Chris Smalling completed a scarcely comprehensible turnaround with 20 minutes remaining, powering home from point blank range after he had been located by Alexis Sanchezs pinpoint cross but it was Pogba whom Guardiola sought out after the final whistle.

The City manager at his pre-match press conference that he had been offered the chance to sign Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan during the January transfer window, a claim Jose Mourinho attempted to pour cold water on shortly before the match.

After walking onto the pitch, Guardiola congratulated several Manchester United players, including Nemanja Matic, but made a concerted effort to speak with Pogba before the United star joined the rest of his teammates and celebrated in front of the away fans.