SYMPATHY FOR RED DEVILS Pep admits he feels sorry for rivals United after dramatic fall since Fergie’s departure
PEP GUARDIOLA admits he feels sympathy for Manchester United because of their lack of trophies post Sir Alex Ferguson.
City host their neighbours in the Manchester derby tomorrow and will be red-hot favourites to pile the pain on Erik ten Hag’s men.
City have turned Manchester blue in the last decade, having won 20 trophies in that time compared to United’s four after Fergie’s retirement in 2013.
United have not come close to winning the Premier League title, while City have won the last three and aim to make it a record fourth in succession this time round.
Guardiola knows rivals United judge themselves on winning silverware.
And the Spaniard admits he understands how difficult this has been for them following the departure of Fergie as boss.
Guardiola said: “I would say at big clubs you have to win and win. Not just United. You have to. But it’s not easy for United to continue with the incredible success with Sir Alex. That is not easy. I can understand it. Before in England, big clubs had more patience, but today everyone has a lot of pressure.”
Guardiola wants City to continue to rule the roost for as long as possible – because he knows there might be a time in the future when neighbours United are dominant again.
The derby rivals clash at the Etihad tomorrow with City kings of English football – let alone Manchester.
Guardiola’s men won the
Treble last season, to match United’s feat of 1999, and remain on course to repeat the achievement this time round.
City want to make it a record four straight league titles, while United have not won the Premier League since 2013.
Guardiola knows football goes in cycles and that it’s his club’s turn to dominate.
And he wants City to rule the roost for as long as possible.
Guardioa said: “The 1980s were Liverpool, 90s were United and now we have won seven Premier Leagues in the last 11 or 12 years. But in 50 or 60 years, there has never been, in one country, one team who dominates and controls everything.
“We try in this organisation to extend this as much as possible. What we have done over many years has made me so proud.”
City will be firm favourites to dispatch United to keep the pressure on league leaders Liverpool and while Guardiola has no intentions of underestimating Erik ten Hag’s side, he will not be getting wound up about the challenge ahead.
He said: “There have been
good seasons from United. With Jose Mourinho for one season, and with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer they finished second.
“So what I learn from my experience in these types of games is to be more calm, just focus on tactics and what you have to do to beat them.
“It’s not about emotions, but emotions will be there, without a doubt. That is why we relax and prepare for the game as best as possible, knowing the quality United have.
“They have incredible quality. We are in March and they have lost just one game this year so the consistency is there.”
Guardiola, meanwhile, doesn’t know how long Jack Grealish will be sidelined a groin problem – but believes the winger will be ruled out of England’s friendlies with Brazil and Belgium later this month ahead of the Euros this summer.
He added: “He will not be fit for this weekend. When he will come back, I don’t know. I don’t think he’ll be fit for England games. He has to recover well, so we can then use him as much as possible.”