City boss expects ‘the best from United’
TEN HAG’S MEN STILL CARRY A THREAT, WARNS PEP AHEAD OF DERBY DUEL
>> LONDON: Pep Guardiola says he is expecting the “best” from Manchester United even though Manchester City will start today’s derby as red-hot favourites to extend their dominance over their rivals.
City have won five of their past six matches against United in all competitions and are 15 points ahead of their opponents in the Premier League.
But Guardiola, whose team are chasing a second consecutive trophy treble, said he would not be taking United lightly.
“I expect the best from United, but I don’t talk about what they do, about opponents that I respect too much,” he said on Friday.
“I don’t want people to misunderstand my words.”
He added: “I know them and have a lot of respect for the institution, United of course, Erik [ten Hag] and the players but when I see what we have to do my players will know it today and tomorrow.”
Guardiola said despite United’s disappointing season, they still carry a threat.
“In one action they create something special in set pieces, in transition, in open play, connection between a few players and they score goals,” he said.
“Always United have been that way. When they play good they win games, when they are OK, no stress, they are able to win games.
“We are in March already, 2024, they lost just one game, last week at home [against Fulham].”
Guardiola was asked whether City’s dominance of matches between the two teams illustrated the shift in the balance of power in Manchester over the past decade.
“1980s was Liverpool, 90s was United and now we are this many years, winning seven Premier Leagues in the past decade, 11, 12 years,” he said.
“But it happens. In 50 years or 60 years there’s never, ever in one country one club that dominates and controls everything so we can try... as much as possible to extend for many years what we are trying to do, especially the consistency.”
No Grealish
Guardiola confirmed Jack Grealish is unavailable for today’s derby.
Grealish has not featured in City’s last three league games after suffering a groin injury in the Champions League win at FC Copenhagen, and the midfielder went off injured in the first half after starting Tuesday’s FA Cup win over Luton.
“No, he will not be fit for the weekend. When he comes back I don’t know,” said Guardiola. “Setbacks are always there in life, he will overcome it.”
Guardiola doesn’t expect Grealish to return before the international break later this month, when England play two friendly games with Brazil and Belgium.
“No, I don’t think so. He has to recover well to use him as much as possible,” he said.
City now face a tough run of games in the coming weeks, after United today they will face their title rivals Liverpool and Arsenal in the league, along with their Champions League last 16 second leg with Copenhagen on Wednesday.
“And Aston Villa, how nice. I prefer that than the opposite. Key players, we have 20 key players. I know what you’re talking about but we have had key players out injured and still done well,” Guardiola said.
“So nice to do the fixtures, a chance to get to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, then Anfield, a chance against Newcastle United [FA Cup].”