Manchester United will be back – Man City boss Guardiola
The manager of Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, is of the opinion that Manchester United “will make a comeback” with the support of their new investor, Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Ratcliffe finalized the purchase of a 27.7% stake in Manchester United on February 20th.
The British billionaire expressed his desire for United to dethrone their cross-city rivals, City, from their prominent position.
Responding to the comments, Guardiola said: “As [soon] as the teams admit it they will be closer to us.”
The 53-year-old Catalan added: “If they want to deny it for things that are not the reality then it’s their problem – it’s not our problem.
“When I’ve been below teams I’ve always admired them and thought about what we need to do to be close, to challenge them.
“When we were below and United were winning, we were watching them, admiring them. That’s why, for these type of comments, that I have the feeling that they will be back.”
Guardiola has guided Manchester City to claim the Premier League title in each of the past three seasons, and in five out of his six completed campaigns at the Etihad Stadium.
In 2022-23, City secured the Treble of Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup, adding to Guardiola’s tally of 14 major trophies since assuming the managerial role in the summer of 2016.
During Guardiola’s tenure, Manchester United have clinched three trophies, yet new investor Ratcliffe holds optimistic aspirations of narrowing that gap in the foreseeable future.
In an interview with BBC Sport earlier this week, Ratcliffe discussed plans to construct a new cutting-edge stadium near the current Old Trafford site. He also disclosed ambitions to enhance the squad as part of efforts to enhance competitiveness across all fronts.
Guardiola, speaking before Saturday’s Premier League trip to Bournemouth, said: “It’s not about [being] worried. I’m pretty sure with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the other people that United are going to take a step forwards.
“I feel that they know exactly what they have to do, appoint the people they need to appoint with their experience in the business world to make projects better.
“But that is normal. It’s not just United – all the teams want it. We want to be there and as long as I’m here, we will try to be there again.
“What I want is Man City, my team, being there. The rest, I don’t care.”
Manchester City are second in the Premier League and four points behind leaders Liverpool, although they have a game in hand, while Manchester United are sixth.