Manchester United vs Manchester City: Pep Guardiola takes moral high ground over Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Spanish manager says he never criticised Swedish striker in public
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Your support makes all the difference.Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola suggested ahead of Saturday’s Old Trafford derby that he has established the moral high ground over Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic – one of his harshest critics – by never attacking him through the media.
Guardiola admitted that his famously difficult relationship with United manager Jose Mourinho had been “not good” in Spain, though insisted he would drink wine with him at Old Trafford if invited.
But Ibrahimovic – who in his autobiography described Guardiola as controlling and a “spineless coward” after they clashed at Barcelona - drew a less diplomatic response from the new Manchester City manager, as he discussed Saturday’s game. “He explained in his book about what he believes,” Guardiola said. “Always I was clear, I spoke with him face to face. I never used the media to explain what I wanted from Zlatan on the pitch.”
The City manager said that he and his rival had experienced a diplomatic and civil encounter with each at a recent meeting of Premier League managers.
“He was my coach, my assistant coach with Sir Bobby Robson,” Guardiola said when it was put to him that he and Mourinho do not even seem capable of making eye contact. “The last meeting in Madrid against Barcelona was not easy but we met each other two or three weeks ago in the Premier League managers [meeting] and we spoke fluently with Ronald Koeman, with Tony Pulis so it was OK.”
The only manager Guardiola took issue with in his press conference discussion of Saturday’s Manchester derby was Arsene Wenger, who has said that the result of the Old Trafford game will have a psychological effect – if not a statistical one.
“No,” said Guardiola. “Sorry Arsene. The impact psychologically is that after we wake up and prepare for Borussia Monchengladbach [in the Champions League on Tuesday]. It is the fourth game in the Premier League. The players are so professional. There is a lot of experience in both teams. They handle the good emotions when you win.”
Guardiola said that new goalkeeper Claudio Bravo would definitely make his debut in the intense derby atmosphere, where he will face a aerial bombardment. He held out more prospect of Leroy Sane starting than Ilkay Gundogan. Sane, who may start in place of suspended Sergio Aguero, was the most match-ready of the injured players. Vincent Kompany will not play against United.
The 45-year-old said: “I have a lot of respect for Zlatan and what he has done in the football world and his career. He has had a big impact in what he did everywhere and he is amazing, especially on the pitch. I have a lot of respect for him, what he has done for football. He is one of the best players and the best players they have an impact. The big players don’t have to understand the league or need time [to adjust].”
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