‘European tie is more important than derby’

PEP Guardiola has ruled out prioritising the Manchester derby over tonight’s Champions League clash with Club Brugge.

With the United match less than 72 hours after that group game, the Blues boss would normally have to strongly consider squad rotation, especially as this evening’s opposition were crushed 5-1 in Belgium last month.

But Guardiola dismissed the idea that he will weaken his team in order to focus on the trip to Old Trafford.

The City manager said: “It’s much more important this game than United game. It gives us the chance to take an incredible step forward to qualify for the last-16.

“In the Premier League there are many games, here just six, now three left. Not much, and they are decisive, the third and fourth games. The most important games and we need to take it seriously.”

City have a chance to further damage United’s Premier League title hopes with a win at Old Trafford, and also end a run of four games without a win in a league derby.

The Blues also need to bounce back after losing at home to Crystal Palace last weekend, but Guardiola says he is not worried about his side’s patchy results this season.

“You win or lose but I’m only concerned with the way we play,” he said. “The defeat was tough, you know the calendar, how demanding it is.

“What we have done the last month, we want to finish this run well after the United game before international break. Except the last 10 to 15 minutes after the disallowed goal, we felt it 10 vs 11.”

City special: Pages 44, 45, 46 & 47