City have won five of their past six matches against United
in all competitions and are 15 points ahead of their opponents in the Premier
League.
But Guardiola, whose team are chasing a second consecutive
trophy treble, said he would not be taking United lightly.
“I expect the best from United, but I don’t talk about what
they do, about opponents that I respect too much,” he said on Friday.
“I don’t want people to misunderstand my words.”
He added: “I know them and have a lot of respect for the
institution, United of course, Erik (ten Hag) and the players but when I see
what we have to do my players will know it today and tomorrow.”
Guardiola said despite United’s disappointing season, they
still carry a threat.
“In one action they create something special in set pieces,
in transition, in open play, connection between a few players and they score
goals,” he said.
“Always United have been that way. When they play good they
win games, when they are OK they are, no stress, they are able to win games.
“We are in March already, 2024, they lost just one game,
last week at home (against Fulham).”
Guardiola was asked whether City’s dominance of matches
between the two teams illustrated the shift in the balance of power in
Manchester over the past decade.
“1980s was Liverpool, 90s was United and now we are this
many years, winning seven Premier Leagues in the past decade, 11, 12 years,” he
said.
“But it happens. In 50 years or 60 years there’s never, ever
in one country one club that dominates and controls everything so we can try…
as much as possible to extend for many years what we are trying to do,
especially the consistency.”
AFP