Pep Guardiola was discussing the impressive start of his Manchester City side but couldn’t help but laugh when he was questioned about Manchester United’s fortunes
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| Assessing Man Utd’s start to the Premier League season | Football Digest |
Pep Guardiola chuckled when he was quizzed on Manchester United’s slow start to the season.
The Catalan has seen his Manchester City side win five games on the bounce to begin the defence of their title - seeing off the likes of Burnley, West Ham and Sheffield United. They are the only team to sit on maximum points at this early stage, but there’s plenty of competition below them.
Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham have all made promising starts, but the same cannot be said of United, who’ve only picked up six points thus far. Their two wins have been unconvincing whilst they’ve been beaten by the three best teams they’ve faced so far.
Guardiola said on his side’s fast start: “Everyone has to find something inside to want to get better, every player must go over their limits and feel that otherwise it’s difficult. We will have downs in the season… but to start the season that way and some teams are taking the distance now. But how strong is Arsenal? I saw their win at Goodison Park, they are exceptional. Liverpool again, their mentality is continuing there.”
He was then asked about his local rivals and couldn’t help but laugh before he went on to say: “Well they didn’t start as they expect, a bit like Chelsea, but always they are Man United, they are Chelsea, they will take the rhythm.”
United spent big in the summer to land the likes of Mason Mount, Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund as Erik ten Hag addressed problem positions after what was a promising first year in the job. An opening weekend win over Wolves though did little to impress.
Pep Guardiola couldn’t help but smile when asked about Man Utd’s fortunes
A week later they lost at Tottenham as they were thoroughly outplayed. United fought back to beat Nottingham Forest despite finding themselves 2-0 down within the opening five minutes. A late show by Arsenal before the international break condemned them to another reverse.
Brighton dealt them another blow just days ago as the Seagulls, featuring former United man Danny Welbeck, dominated at Old Trafford to win 3-1. Ten Hag though has refused to claim the club is in a crisis despite their results.
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He said: “It bothers me [the form], but I have to see the way we play. It’s about character, we have to see how strong we are and how the team sticks together. Players standing up and showing character because in all the games, especially the game today [Saturday] and against Arsenal and Forest, we have seen we can play well and create chances.”
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