Pep Guardiola has issued his own “not in my lifetime” put-down of Manchester United by warning them that the glory days left Old Trafford forever when Sir Alex Ferguson retired.
The Manchester City boss, who has led the Blues to the Treble, a domestic Quadruple and five out of the last six Premier League titles, reckons the Reds will never again enjoy a period of dominance like they did under Ferguson.
United lifted 13 titles and two Champions League ’s during the Scot’s 26-year reign – and when he was asked whether his club would ever go into a derby as underdogs, Ferguson famously replied “not in my lifetime.”
But United have not finished above City in the decade since he retired – and it was telling that when Guardiola assessed this season’s challengers for the title, there was no mention of the team that the Blues will face in the derby at Old Trafford.
Asked if success would ever return to the red side of Manchester, Guardiola said: “Maybe not in the way that Sir Alex Ferguson controlled in those days because in that moment I think there were only two or three teams.
“Now there are more clubs with a lot of incredible managers – so maybe not in that way. If they make good decisions, with the hierarchy and the sports director and manager, and get players with the same ideas, come on!
“When something happens at Man United it’s on the highlights all day, so the reputation and prestige they had they will always have. But they need it to click by making the right decisions. If it happens and when it happens, they will be there.
“It’s only nine games so I don’t know who will challenge this season. Ask me nine games from the end and I will tell you. Of course, Arsenal are back and Newcastle have arrived – and Chelsea are in the process of restructuring a few things.
“Look at Spurs and how good they are playing. They will be fresh all season because they are out of the Carabao Cup, so they will be there, for sure with the manager they have.
“But our rivals in the past have been Liverpool.”
Guardiola admitted when he arrived in Manchester in the summer of 2016 that he was taking over a club that couldn’t boast the same history of success as United. But he takes great satisfaction in the way he has changed the balance of power in the city.
In 2018, City became the first team in English football history to win 100 points. The following season they made history by lifting the unique Quadruple of Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Community Shield.
Last season, City emulated United’s 1999 Treble of Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup. They beat United in the first all-Manchester Cup final and became only the fifth club to clinch the championship three seasons in succession.
Guardiola said: “Absolutely I get satisfaction – but the most satisfaction is that we don’t do something good for just one year. To have the Treble and to be the first to win the four domestic titles – don’t forget we were the first to win all the domestics. We had all of them.
“Yet we still had the mentality to go again, again and again – and then we won the Treble.
“I don’t know about United because I’m not there. I only know what we have done. Imagine from now on that one team wins five of the next six Premier Leagues, like we have done.
“What we have done is so difficult – and maintaining it is even more difficult – but it is because of the organisation of our club. You can be in the middle of the table in a moment if you believe you are something you’re not.
“When we have a glass of wine with our people, remembering what we have done is so nice. But what we have to do is keep striving to take the next step.”
