Guardiola is in a different league to Jose

PEP GUARDIOLA is in a different league to Jose Mourinho. While Manchester City continue to set the pace in the Premier League, every other team — Mourinho’s Manchester United included — is playing catch-up.

This week has exposed the flaws in Mourinho’s approach. Last week, United set up negatively against Liverpool at Anfield and played for a draw. Debate has raged over whether that 0-0 draw was one point gained or two dropped. Saturday’s defeat at Huddersfield shows it was the latter.

It is all very well to park the bus against your top-six rivals — though as Tottenham showed yesterday, Liverpool were there for the taking.

But adopting a cautious approach puts you under pressure to win every game against lesser opponents. You have to be flawless. Against Huddersfield, United were no way near that level and Mourinho was left arguing that he cannot remember a friendly match where his players’ attitude was so poor.

It has not taken long for Mourinho to start digging out his players but ultimately the manager should be taking responsibility. Contrast this with Guardiola whose mindset is wholly positive. City play to win every game.

Can you imagine this City team going to Anfield and settling for a draw? When they went to Chelsea, City were utterly dominant and played the Premier League champions off the pitch.

Mourinho will no doubt point to his 20 major honours, including eight league titles in four countries. But up against the attacking might of City, it is difficult to see how playing his way can win the Premier League for United this season.