Updated at 22.55
MANCHESTER CITY boss Pep Guardiola has aimed a cheeky dig at neighbours United over their spending after they ended a six-year trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup.
Guardiola won nine major pieces of silverware in a timeframe similar to United’s long wait between triumphs, including four Premier League titles and four League Cups.
Guardiola congratulated United on Sunday’s win over Newcastle – a result that could prove a springboard for greater things in the coming years under Erik ten Hag – but he could not resist a joke about financial matters.
It has often seemed to bother Guardiola that critics regularly apply a caveat when discussing his successes at City by pointing out how much the club have spent on players.
Yet over the last five years, United’s outlay actually eclipses City’s with £685million spent by the Old Trafford outfit in comparison to £660million by their rivals.
Those figures may be relatively close but when looking at net spending in that time the difference is more stark, with United’s being £527million and City’s £162million.
Speaking at a press conference, Guardiola said: “Congratulations to United for the Carabao Cup and to Newcastle as well – the game was entertaining.
“Sooner or later it should happen, shouldn’t it? It should happen. Welcome.”
Asked if United could now kick on and become serious title challengers, Guardiola said with a broad grin: “If they spend a little more money, yes! It’s because they didn’t spend, isn’t it?
“It’s normal, they’re in the position they normally should be. The reality is that two teams, Liverpool and ourselves, have done incredibly well in the numbers.
“When I landed here I thought United would always be there, for the history, for everything, and Erik is doing an incredible job.
“It’s normal. United have to be there. Always having been opponents we were better in the previous seasons and now it’s closer. Anything can happen in the Premier League.”
Yet while Guardiola was happy to welcome United back to the top table of the English game, he still landed a further blow on City’s rivals by referring to the two clubs’ recent trophy count.
He said: “I remember when we travelled 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.
“The fourth time we travelled 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’.”
City turn their attention to the FA Cup as they travel to Bristol City in the fifth round on Tuesday night.
Guardiola also said there was little room for error in the Premier League title race.
The champions could find themselves five points behind leaders Arsenal come their next league game against Newcastle on Saturday if the Gunners beat Everton in midweek.
Guardiola said: “I have the feeling in the Premier League many things are going to happen.
“Everyone is going to drop points but we cannot drop any if we are going to fight until the end.”
Despite claiming a crucial victory over their chief title rivals at the Emirates Stadium earlier this month, City have been inconsistent since the World Cup.
They restored some confidence after frustrating draws against Nottingham Forest and RB Leipzig in the last week, however, with a convincing 4-1 win at Bournemouth on Saturday.
Guardiola said: “The game we are playing is good. The results could be better – in terms of winning at Spurs or Nottingham – but sometimes that happens.
Of course it’s not exceptional – it’s OK, it’s good – but I don’t have complaints with the way we are playing and fighting.
“I said after the last game against Bournemouth that the mood in the locker room is exceptional and the guys are doing everything, and that’s enough for me.”
Guardiola expects a reasonable test against Nigel Pearson’s side, who have not lost since St Stephen’s Day.
The City boss said: “Last 12 games no defeat – that gives me a lot of info. It means they are there.
“My scouts say they are good team, the manager has a lot of experience. He did really well at Leicester and Watford. It’s a final. The FA Cup is an important competition, really important. It’s a serious team that is going to play tomorrow.”
Originally published at 14.29
