Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he has high believe in his players ahead of the Manchester derby at Old Trafford.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola claims not to doubt his players after they suffered defeated and crashed out of the Carabao cup against Southampton.
The Etihad side were defeated 2-0 in the Carabao cup after he rested players but the former Barcelona manager wants a response from his players agaisnt Manchester United.
Guardiola’s side will visit the Old Trafford later today as they will continue their quest in the Premier League title race.
Speaking ahead of the game Guardiola said even if they fail this season he still have a lot of believe for his players.
“Absolutely I’m confident, I would never doubt [them],” he said, when asked whether he was expecting a reaction following the Saints defeat. “Even if this season would not be a success, I would never doubt the players.
“The fact that I tell them the truth doesn’t mean I don’t rely on them. After seeing what happened with the 4-0 against Chelsea in the FA Cup and then three days later losing to Southampton 2-0, unlucky because it could be a bigger margin, in both games I’ll tell them the truth.
“But if you think I’m going to doubt them? From one single result after being eliminated from the Carabao Cup, I will have doubts in these players? No way, that’s impossible, but I have to tell them the truth.”
While Arsenal are currently five points clear at the top of the table, there remains more than half of the season to play and Guardiola sees United, who are four further points behind, among the title candidates.
United have lost just once since they were beaten 6-3 at the Etihad Stadium in October when Phil Foden and Erling Haaland both scored hat-tricks.
“When I see the results and how United are playing, why not [be challengers for the title?]” Guardiola said.
“The way they are playing is good. It’s nice for us, our challenge is to improve again ourselves and see if we are able to do it.”
