Pep can take United to the title, claims Carragher
LONDON: Jamie Carragher believes there is more than just money that separates the Premier League’s top two clubs — Manchester City and Manchester United.
Pep Guardiola’s men opened up a 15-point lead at the top of the table this week, prompting Jose Mourinho to call for more funds in the transfer market, despite an outlay of nearly £300 million (RM1.6 billion) in over 18 months.
United have seen their title challenge disappear this month, dropping seven points in five games while City’s winning run has extended to an astonishing 18 matches.
And Liverpool legend Carragher, who is now a TV pundit, believes the abilities of the respective managers has had more of a say in the likely destination of this season’s league title.
“There is a flaw in Jose Mourinho’s argument that the difference between Manchester United and Manchester City is money”, he wrote in the Daily Telegraph.
“If Pep Guardiola was in charge of the United squad I believe they would win the title.
“Rewind to the start of this season and assess the head-to-head qualities of the United and City squads. Player-for-player, which would you argue was superior?
“United broke the world transfer record to sign Paul Pogba, and then made Romelu Lukaku the most expensive Premier League player of last summer. Which English clubs made bigger statements of intent?”
Carragher claims Mourinho would fail to replicate Guardiola’s impact at Manchester City this season, citing his struggles to get the best out of the squad at his disposal at Old Trafford.