Man City gaffer Guardiola says he’s now wary of Man United who are on the mend and candidates for EPL title

Man City gaffer Guardiola says he’s now wary of Man United who are on the mend and candidates for EPL title

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Despite stuffing Erik ten Hag’s side 6-3 at the start of the month in a largely one-sided derby mauling, the Spaniard is now concerned after witnessing drastic improvements in United. The Red Devils have turned in some real statement performances since the pasting and were unlucky not to win away at Chelsea last Saturday.

Having spent well over £200 million on several high-profile new additions, Ten Hag is now starting to fine-tune his new-look United squad. Yet Guardiola is watching very closely what is now happening under a new boss — and he declared: “I have a feeling that United is coming. Finally, United is coming.”

Those words are probably the biggest compliment yet paid to Old Trafford gaffer Erik ten Hag since he began his extensive and expensive reconstruction work in the summer.

Guardiola revealed he watched United’s impressive 3-0 Europa League win over Sheriff Tiraspol on Thursday – and also the Red Devils’ 1-1 Premier League clash with Chelsea.

He is therefore fearful United could be a surprise dark horse in this year’s Premier League title race, stating: “I have a feeling that United is coming. Finally, United is coming. I saw on Thursday [against Sheriff Tiraspol] and Chelsea in the first half. I thought ‘I like it’ what I see from United just now. I have a feeling United are coming back. That is why you have to fight for the title.”

City, who are the reigning Premier League champions, are currently two points adrift of leaders Arsenal ahead of the trip to Leicester. Yet with Erling Haaland flying it only looks a matter of time before City reclaim top spot ahead of the Gunners.

United remain in top-four contention but recent draws with Newcastle and Chelsea have held them back in their pursuit of an unlikely title charge.

Ten Hag’s side are undefeated since the heavy defeat at the Etihad Stadium and they could move into fourth place should they win their game in hand. City could be without Haaland this weekend following a brief fitness scare.

The Norwegian was spotted hobbling with a foot issue, while he was also suffering from a fever earlier in the week.

“He feels better, but we train this afternoon, and we will assess in these few hours,” Guardiola, ahead of his second trip to the King Power Stadium this season. “We will see how he feels. After we will decide – I will know in two hours if he can play.”

City have recovered well from their minor setback at Anfield, when they lost 1-0 to Liverpool in a closely-contested encounter. They have since comfortably dispatched Brighton before sowing up top spot in their Champions League group with a 0-0 draw at Borussia Dortmund.

Title rivals Arsenal host Nottingham Forest on Sunday, meaning City will go top with a win at Leicester in the early kick-off on Saturday.

Guardiola, with four Premier League titles to his name already, insists that making sure his reigning champs finish top of the tree this season will be harder than ever. City sit two points behind leaders Arsenal and this week completed a cruise through their Champions League group.

Yet Guardiola is wary about the months ahead, saying: “The priority was the Champions League and not so much our Premier League form. But now we have just three games left before the World Cup finals — and I think those games will be saying a lot about how we see the Prem.”

Guardiola includes fourth-placed Newcastle as another team who can join the usual suspects in trying to hunt his side down.

And the Catalan is hopeful superstar striker Erling Haaland, who has 17 Premier League goals, will recover from a slight ankle injury in time for Saturday’s trip to Leicester.

The ex-Barcelona boss added, “In the first 10 games you don’t win the Premier League. But you can be a little bit behind.

“Newcastle are already there. I saw them against Tottenham and the physicality from both sides.

“We played them in the third game of the season — imagine this team playing only one game a week. They are a contender to be there.

“We know how good Eddie Howe the manager is. They have new players. They play brave.

“They are there — but also we are still there.

“This football business is very difficult, despite people saying, ‘You have spent a lot of money’.”

  • A Tell / The Sun / Express report
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