The manager of Manchester City, Pep Guardiola has declared the Premier League game against their local levels, Manchester United, the most important game ever.
The Spanish tactician whose team lost 2-0 against Paris Saint Germain in the UEFA Champions League group stage game on September 28, said his focus has left the continental competition and is now focused on the Manchester derby.
According to Pep Guardiola, his critics described the Champions League game against Club Brugge on Wednesday, November 3, as a more important game than the match against Manchester United. His team went on to beat Brugge 4-1 to return to the top of Champions League Group A, a point above second-placed PSG.
After the Champions League game, Pep Guardiola said: “The people were taking the p*** for me saying today was more important than United – and it was. But now the most important game ever is Man Utd.”
Why the Manchester United vs Manchester City game is so important for Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City team are the reigning champions of the Premier League and the coach is striving to ensure that he and his team retain the trophy this season.
Unfortunately for them, they have recorded 2 defeats and 2 draws which served as huge setbacks for Manchester City. The two defeats and the two draws have forced Pep Guardiola’s team down to 3rd spot with 20 points in 10 games.
Hence, Manchester City can not afford to keep losing points, especially at this stage of the Premier League season.
For instance, if Manchester City record a defeat at Old Trafford on Saturday, November 6, they could drop to the 4th spot and could be 8 points away from first-placed Chelsea if the current table leaders win their weekend game against Burnley.
Aside from the fight to establish themselves in the top four, Manchester City would step on Old Trafford pitch at 13:30 on Saturday to beat their local rivals for the sake of bragging rights.
Over the years, the Manchester derby is gradually becoming a football festival which fans of the two clubs don’t like to lose. The players are aware of the trolls they would get online if their team is defeated on Saturday.
As for Manchester United, the game is beyond just bragging rights. The club has not been consistent in the Premier League and the club’s coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is under pressure to deliver.
Manchester United is currently sitting on the 5th spot with 17 points in 10 games. They need to beat Manchester City to stand a chance of returning to the top four.
If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his boys fail to record a win against Manchester City on Saturday, it would attract more pressure on the Norwegian tactician who has not been enjoying a smooth run this season.
Guardiola says Manchester City don’t use to get help
Over time, Pep Guardiola has insisted that Manchester City don’t use to get favors like other top clubs in the Premier League.
In an interview with BT Sports after beating Club Brugge 4-1, Guardiola stressed that all Manchester City had achieved was through their effort.
“When you are Manchester City you realize nobody helps you – no one,” he said.
“Everything we have done, we have to do it. That is why I am so satisfied. When you are in big clubs, after that, I understand. Maybe. Here no. If we win, we do it. I know it perfectly (because) all the titles I won before I did at big clubs…
“Listen don’t misunderstand me. What I’m saying is what we’ve done we did it, we deserved it. We did it for ourselves. That is so good and that is why I’m very pleased.”
"Right now, the most important game ever is #MUFC."
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 4, 2021
Pep Guardiola was in a fiery mood after #MCFC's #UCL win last night…🤬🔥 pic.twitter.com/Y5TRDrAff2
