Pep Guardiola is not concerned about Manchester United’s record over Manchester City in the Manchester derby. He is more concerned about the superiority his team has established against United in recent times.
Ahead of the Manchester derby scheduled to kick off at 13:30 later today, November 6, 2021, Pep Guardiola said he believes more in records created in a present season than past seasons.
Recall that coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer of Manchester United has had the better of coach Pep Guardiola of Manchester City in recent times. For instance, in their last four meetings, Solskjaer has won three out of four.
Hence, in the pre-match press conference ahead of the Manchester derby, Guardiola was asked if he was not concerned about Solskjaer record against him. The Spanish tactician stressed that despite the Solskjaer’s wins over him, Manchester City have been finishing ahead of United in the Premier League since he became the coach of City.
Guardiola admitted that Manchester United are a good team but in the last 5 years, City are superior to United in terms of points garnered at the end of the season.
“They are a good, good team and this can happen, but we don’t forget the points in the last five or six years,” Guardiola told Sky Sports.
“In every single season, we were ahead of them in the Premier League.
“So you want to say, ‘Okay they beat us,’ it’s because it can happen, and they are good.
“But when I landed here to finish after five seasons – this is the sixth – the number of points ahead of that we are if we count every single season – at the end that is what counts.”
Pep Guardiola:
— City Report (@cityreport_) November 5, 2021
"In the last five or six years in every single season we were ahead of @ManUtd in the #PL." pic.twitter.com/pcCmuuAI4Y
In the last five years under the reign of Pep Guardiola, Manchester City have won the Premier League three times and have always been ahead of Manchester United on the league table as the Spanish coach claimed.
Solskjaer came very close to Guardiola on the league table last season when he led Manchester United to finish second below the league winners Manchester City.
However, today’s Manchester derby would not determine who will win the Premier League this season, a win for either side would not only earn them points but serve as bragging rights for players, coaches and supporters.
Even though Manchester City look more consistent than Manchester United so far this season, coach Solskjaer and his boys are expected to win the game to reduce the pressure on the Norwegian coach.
A win at Old Trafford later today, would take Manchester United closer to the top four. The club is currently sitting on the 5th spot with 17 points in 10 games.
On the other hand, a win for Manchester City will help Pep Guardiola and his boys to establish themselves further in the top four. They are currently sitting on the 3rd spot with 20 points in 10 games.
Pep Guardiola praises Ronaldo ahead of Manchester derby
Despite how much Pep Guardiola bragged about Manchester City’s superiority over Manchester United in the Premier League, he did not forget to shower some praises on Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 36-year-old Portuguese forward has saved Manchester United in a couple of games since he returned to the club from Juventus last summer.
So far this season, Ronaldo who first played for Manchester United between 2003 and 2009 before he joined Real Madrid and then Juventus, has scored 9 games in 11 appearances in all competitions.
“I think he has scored goals all his life and when he is 75 – maybe he will be retired – but at the barbecue, if they’re playing a game, he is going to score a goal”, Pep Guardiola said.
“These type of guys, like [Lionel] Messi, like him, what they have done, or what Ronaldo has done in the last decade in world football, scoring goals and helping his teams to win. It speaks for itself…
“It’s good for the Premier League him coming back.
“United belongs to Cristiano. Cristiano belongs to United. It was a good fitting in the past, maybe it will be good in the present and the future.”
"He's scored goals all of his life!"
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 5, 2021
Ahead of Saturday's Manchester Derby, City boss Pep Guardiola assessed #MUFC's Cristiano Ronaldo – and said he thinks the prolific forward will still be finding the net even in retirement. pic.twitter.com/OJOYWXyACo
