A week has passed since Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side emerged triumphantly from the most eagerly-awaited Manchester derby of all time.
Much to the disappointment of many, Guardiola and arch-nemesis Jose Mourinho failed to claw each other’s eyes out at the side of the Old Trafford pitch. In fact, they even found it within themselves to share a couple of handshakes.
But although things don’t appear to be quite as hostile between the pair as they were back when they were on opposite sides of the El Clasico divide in Spain, the press aren’t having it that the pair’s relationship is at the stage where they can nip out for a few Sunday night pints together.
This is why reporters have been quick to jump on what Guardiola said following his side’s 4-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon, suggesting it was a dig at the style of football being played by his old rival.
“Bournemouth were the best team we’ve played,” the former Barcelona boss said. “They created more problems with the balls than others who played long balls.”
Was this Pep’s way of saying that Jose’s United side are nothing more than a long ball team? Maybe, although let’s not forget that City’s opener at Old Trafford came when Kevin De Bruyne profited from confusion in the United defence as they failed to deal with a long ball through the middle of the field.
The second half of the derby saw United play more high balls into the City box. No great surprise after witnessing the way Claudio Bravo’s inability to catch a cross had gifted them a goal before half-time. To say it was all route one might be a bit harsh though, but then Mourinho wouldn’t over-react to a little harshness? Would he?
United play away at Watford at noon on Sunday, where a win will move them to within three points of City.
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