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Pep Guardiola has given Manchester United some cheeky derby-day advice by suggesting they follow City’s example to bring the good times back to Old Trafford.
Guardiola, who also declared Liverpool rather than United as having been his biggest rivals in England, is convinced Erik ten Hag needs time and the right structure behind the scenes at Old Trafford – the blueprint for success at The Etihad.
‘If they take good decisions with the hierarchy, the sport director and manager and players with the same ideas, they will be there,’ promised Guardiola.
‘The reputation and prestige will always be there for Man United. Just make a click for the right decision.
‘It’s the same – give time to the managers and they will do it.’
Pep Guardiola has encouraged Man United to give Erik ten Hag time to turn around a difficult start to his second season
Ten Hag has come under increased scrutiny, and Guardiola believes he needs the right structure around him to be successful
With Sir Jim Ratcliffe poised to take control of football operations, Guardiola wants ten Hag to be given the chance to build on last season’s work.
‘Leave the manager to do the job like they did with me at City,’ he added. ‘They allowed me my first season when we didn’t win.
‘We analysed what happened. We had 10 or 11 players who were more than 30-years-old so we said “OK, we have to bring energy and quality” and they supported me.
‘It takes time. If United win four, five, six games in a row, they will be here. They are so close.
‘We have won five of the last six Premier Leagues. It’s because of the organisation of our club.’
United haven’t finished higher than City in the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 and ten Hag is the fourth manager Guardiola has faced in the derby following Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.
There is already a six-point gap between the teams this season and Guardiola doesn’t rate United as being his biggest threats since he joined City in 2016.
‘Of course it has been Liverpool,’ he said. ‘They made us a challenge like not other team has done before in my period here and helped make us better.
‘Now we are in the elite and maybe it is uncomfortable (for Man Utd). We are there now and we want to be there in the future.’
Liverpool have twice finished only a point behind champions City including an epic race in 2019 which City edged 98-97.
Guardiola identified Liverpool as his greatest challengers during his time in England, saying Jurgen Klopp’s side helped make his team better
The Man City boss does not believe it will be possible for any team to enjoy the sort of dominance that Sir Alex Ferguson had during his time at Old Trafford
Despite any improvements United may make, Guardiola thinks the era of dominance they enjoyed under Fergie in the 1990s and 2000s is almost impossible to repeat.
‘Maybe not in the way Sir Alex Ferguson controlled in those days because in that moment I think there were two or three teams (serious competitors),’ said Guardiola.
‘Now, Arsenal are back and Newcastle have arrived. Chelsea are in the process to restructure a few things. They will do it in the next years with the manager they have and the investment..
‘Look at Spurs, how good they are playing. They will be fresh all season with one game a week. All these teams are there.’
