Pep Guardiola is leading Manchester Metropolis on a procession to another Premier League title however he’s adamant that or not it is a “privilege” for his aspect to be competing with spoiled-metropolis rivals Manchester United for the crown.
Guardiola’s Metropolis are not off track for their third league title in four seasons, having unfolded a 14-point lead over second-placed United heading into Sunday’s derby at the Etihad Stadium.
Victory would successfully be coronation day for Metropolis, who have won their last 21 matches in all competitions, en route to a potential quadruple-trophy haul – however Guardiola is paying 20-time champions United a lot of respect.
“Or not it is Manchester United – all the time United are high, high class. For us or not it is a privilege to compete with them, being there in the last seasons in front of them,” said the Spaniard.
Metropolis may have had the threshold over United in relation to league place in contemporary years however their derby encounters have been more evenly split.
Since taking charge at the Etihad Stadium in 2016, Guardiola has won six of his 13 Manchester derbies, lost 5 and drawn two.
“I understand how complicated United are,” Guardiola said. “We have experienced that in the last years and I have the feeling that every year they are a greater team than the outdated season.
“They are a team with quality and, for more than one year they have not lost away, and they have had accurate outcomes at the Etihad Stadium.
“However at the same time we all know the alternative we have to increase the distance.”
Overall, Metropolis are unbeaten in 28 games and Guardiola has been hugely impressed by the starvation of his players, which he feels compares favourably to what he experienced at the same time as in charge at Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
He said: “I’ve had incredibly hungry teams treasure you cannot imagine.
“To finish what we have accomplished in these four years, winning, peaceful winning and, after that, winning and peaceful winning, being there at the stay, or not it is because these guys have something special, treasure we had in Barcelona and Munich.
“No words can inject that need for the players. It comes from inner, from making an attempt to steal, to compete or collaborate with their mates to finish the easiest they can.”
The bad information for United is that Guardiola has the rare luxury of a absolutely-fit squad available this weekend.
Nathan Ake’s return after a muscular area means that for the first time this season, Metropolis have none of their squad in the treatment room.
