It’s a privilege to compete against rivals Manchester United, says Guardiola

Manchester City host their city rivals Manchester United in a top of the table Manchester derby at the Etihad stadium on Sunday and City boss Pep Guardiola has said that it is a privilege to compete with Manchester United.

City are on the back of 28 games unbeaten run, 21 consecutive victories and hold a 14 points advantage over their neighbors but Guardiola remains modest going into the tie.

“It’s Manchester United – all the time United are top, top class,” Guardiola said at a press conference ahead of the tie. “For us it’s a privilege to compete with them, being there in the last seasons in front of them.”

Guardiola has taken charge of 13 Manchester derbies, won six, lost five and drawn two and is well aware of the threat posed by Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side.

“I know how difficult United are, we have experienced that in the last years and I have the feeling that every year they are a better team than the previous season,” he said.

“They are a team with quality and, for more than one year they have not lost away, and they have had good results at the Etihad Stadium, but at the same time we know the opportunity we have to increase the distance. We spoke in training about what we have to do to beat them on the pitch and the way we want to play.”

Since Manchester United last won the Premier League in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season in 2013, City have won it thrice, twice under Pep Guardiola and are on course for a third in five years of the Guardiola era.