Pep Guardiola LAUGHS when asked about Man United’s start to the season – before City boss backs Red Devils to find their rhythm ‘sooner or later’
- Pep Guardiola laughed when asked about Man United’s start to the season
- The Red Devils sit 13th in the Premier League table after three defeats from five
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast It’s All Kicking Off!
Pep Guardiola laughed when asked about Manchester United’s start to the 2023-24 campaign during a recent press conference.
The Red Devils have endured a torrid start to the new season and have lost three out of their opening five matches – after falling to defeat against Spurs, Arsenal and Brighton.
And, ahead of their Champions League opener against FK Crvena Zvezda on Tuesday, rival boss Guardiola was asked about the Red Devils’ early form.
When discussing his team’s chances at retaining their league title, the Spaniard said: ‘You know how strong are Arsenal, yesterday at Goodison Park they are exceptional. Liverpool again, the mentality will continue there.’
One of the reporters present then interrupts to put forward the name of City’s rivals, to which Guardiola offers a chuckle in response.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola laughed when asked about Man United’s start to the season
The Red Devils have suffered defeat in three of their opening five Premier League matches
Your browser does not support iframes.
The City boss then says: ‘Well they didn’t start like they expected, like Chelsea. But always, they are Man United, and Chelsea sooner or later they will take the rhythm.’
‘But it is important for us, after winning the treble, [winning] five from five is really, really good.’
United’s recent 3-1 defeat at home to Brighton has sparked suggestions that the club are in disarray, amid the off-field issues surrounding Antony and Jadon Sancho.
Red Devils fans will be hoping their side can turn their fortunes around when they take on German champions Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday.
However, club legend Rio Ferdinand recently warned that former Tottenham striker Harry Kane will have ‘the bit between his teeth’ against United.
‘I can’t wait. Look at the clubs. Two clubs with huge history,’ Ferdinand said to TNT Sports.
‘The backdrop of Harry Kane being there as well, the England captain, someone who a lot of Man Utd fans would have wanted to come and wear the United shirt.
‘He’s a phenomenal player, his record speaks for itself. Champions League football, he’s been there, he’s produced before, he’s been to a final [in 2019] but never won it. He hasn’t got his hands on any silverware, so the bit will be between his teeth.’
An underwhelming defeat to Brighton has left a sour taste ahead of their clash with Bayern Munich on Wednesday night
City, meanwhile, will be kick-starting their European journey against FK Crvena Zvezda as they look to defend the title they won for the first time in May.
Last year’s Premier League runners-up, Arsenal, will host Dutch outfit PSV while Newcastle will take on AC Milan in their return to the Champions League.
Liverpool, who Guardiola mentioned in his press conference, will make their return to the Europa League this week, with West Ham and Brighton accompanying them.
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa will participate in the Europa Conference League for the first time in their history on Thursday when they take on Legia Warszawa.
IT’S ALL KICKING OFF!
It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.
It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.
Your browser does not support iframes.
Source: Read Full Article
