Guardiola anticipates facing the ‘finest’ version of Manchester United in the upcoming derby.
Despite Manchester City being overwhelming favorites to extend their dominance in the upcoming derby, Pep Guardiola expresses his anticipation of facing the “best” from Manchester United on Sunday.
Having secured victory in five of their last six encounters against United across all competitions and boasting a significant 15-point lead in the Premier League, Manchester City is in a formidable position.
However, Pep Guardiola, who aims for a second consecutive trophy treble, emphasizes that he won’t underestimate United.
What did Pep Guardiola say?
Guardiola refrains from discussing the strategies or performance of his respected opponents, focusing on his expectation of the best from Manchester United during the upcoming match.
Guardiola clarifies, “I don’t want people to misunderstand my words.” Sportsbrief emphasizes Pep Guardiola’s respect for Manchester United as an institution, including manager Erik ten Hag and the players.
However, Guardiola asserts that while acknowledging this respect, his focus is on conveying the tactical instructions to his players for the upcoming match, ensuring they understand their tasks today and tomorrow.
Guardiola acknowledges the persistent threat posed by Manchester United, emphasizing their ability to create special moments through set pieces, transitions, and open play.
Is Pep Guardiola worried?
Despite a challenging season, he notes that United remains formidable, with a history of winning games when performing well. Guardiola points out that, as of March 2024, United has lost just one game, a recent home defeat against Fulham.
When questioned about Manchester City’s dominance over matches against Manchester United and its implications on the power balance in the city over the past decade, Guardiola drew a historical parallel.
He highlighted that football dynamics have seen different clubs dominating in different eras, citing Liverpool in the 1980s and Manchester United in the 1990s.
Guardiola recognizes City’s achievements, winning seven Premier Leagues in the past decade, spanning approximately 11 to 12 years. However, he maintains a realistic perspective, acknowledging that dominance in football is transient, and the goal is to extend their current success through sustained consistency.