Guardiola takes jab at Manchester United
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was asked about United’s future as title contenders and he took the opportunity to make a joke about their spending.
Manchester United ended a six-year drought with no domestic trophies when they won the Carabao Cup over Newcastle United on Sunday, their first trophy won under new manager Erik ten Hag.
During the six-year dry spell for United, Manchester City managed to win nine domestic trophies and two Community Shields. Ahead of City’s FA Cup clash with Bristol City, manager Pep Guardiola was full of praise for ten Hag and the United team, but he couldn’t resist making a joke about their spending.
Asked if he thought United could become real title contenders, Guardiola said, “yeah, if they spend a little more money! Because they didn’t spend, right?”
City vs United
Critics have often pointed out that City’s success may have something to do with how much they spend on their players. Over the last five years, United has spent 685 million pounds compared to 660 million that City has spent. Their net spends are an even bigger difference with United’s being around 527 million and City’s around 162 million.
“First and foremost, congratulations to United for the Carabao Cup, for reaching the final, Newcastle as well; the game was entertaining,” said Guardiola. “When I landed here, I always thought United always would be there, for the history, for everything. So Erik [ten Hag] is doing an incredible job. The players, you see how committed they are, how altogether, they try to do it.”
City beat United in the EFL Cup semifinal in the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons and went on to win the trophy on both occasions. Guardiola has now guided City to four League Cup wins. He recalls that at this point, it just feels normal.
“I remember when we traveled to win our first Carabao Cup and everyone was so excited to do it. For the staff it was new, for the players it was new,” said Guardiola. “The fourth time we traveled there to win the Carabao Cup for the fourth time in a row, it was: ‘Well, it’s OK, another one, another day in the office.’ That’s normal.”
Now, United is third in the Premier League, six points behind City, who is in second place with Arsenal leading the way at the top of the table. City will play Bristol City in the FA Cup at Ashton Gate tonight at 8 p.m. local time (3 p.m. ET).