Guardiola warns: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has warned Man Utd new signing to stire up title race
As the Premier League season kicks off, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has issued a warning about Manchester United’s potential impact on the title race. While City remains the favorite to lift the trophy, Guardiola is focused on securing a top-four finish first, given the fierce competition this year.
United’s summer signings—Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, and Noussair Mazraoui—have caught Guardiola’s attention. He believes these additions will provide United with the momentum needed to challenge for the top spots. Speaking to the press, Guardiola emphasized that while City aims for the title, their immediate goal is to ensure they finish in the top four, acknowledging the strength of rival teams.
“People might expect us to talk about winning the league, but the first objective is the top four,” Guardiola said. “United’s signings will give them momentum. Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea—these teams are all strong contenders. If we slip, even slightly, we could be out of the race.”
Guardiola also pointed out that Newcastle, without European football, will be a formidable force, playing just one game a week. This advantage could see them replicate the success they had two seasons ago.
With so many teams in the mix, Guardiola knows that maintaining City’s high standards is crucial. The Premier League’s competitive nature means even a small drop in performance could cost a team dearly. Guardiola’s message is clear: while City is aiming high, they are well aware of the challenges ahead, especially from a revitalized Manchester United.
As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on how these teams navigate the challenges of one of the most competitive Premier League campaigns in recent memory.
Manchester City have set their sights on landing Ilkay Gundogan in the coming days as they aim to allow the Barcelona star to enjoy a homecoming to remember when the reigning Premier League champions host Ipswich Town at the Etihad Stadium this weekend, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
Sky Blues boss Pep Guardiola has made just one addition to his squad since the transfer window reopened, with Savinho joining in a £30million switch after playing a pivotal role in Girona booking their place in the Champions League, but the Spanish tactician and director of football Txiki Begiristain are in the market for further reinforcements.
Julian Alvarez’s £82million switch to Atletico Madrid has resulted in there being an injection of cash ahead of the fast-approaching August 30 deadline, and Manchester City have turned their attentions towards welcoming Gundogan back to familiar surroundings in the aftermath of beating Chelsea in their top flight opener last weekend.
Guardiola Pushing to Seal Gundogan Reunion
Midfielder could join ahead of clash with Ipswich on Saturday
Barcelona midfielder Ilkay Gundogan celebrating
Manchester City insiders have informed GMS sources that there is an increasing confidence that Gundogan will have completed a switch back to the Etihad Stadium ahead of facing newly-promoted Ipswich on Saturday, while Guardiola has indicated to the board that he wants to get the deal over the line.
The newly-retired Germany international is on a contract worth just shy of £310,000-per-week at Barcelona, and the Sky Blues have been presented with a window of opportunity to pounce as his current employers are eager to get him off the wage bill due to their ongoing financial issues.
GMS sources have been told that Manchester City are keen to tie up a deal quickly after discussions accelerated on Monday night, and they are hopeful of securing his services on a free transfer as they aim to provide the likes of Mateo Kovacic with fresh competition for a regular starting berth.
Ilkay Gundogan’s statistical averages per 90 minutes in the Premier League compared to Mateo Kovacic
Ilkay Gundogan
Mateo Kovacic
Pass completion percentage
89.1
90.0
Shot-creating actions
3.83
3.28
Shots
2.03
1.21
Key passes
1.59
1.23
Shots on target
0.64
0.22
Goals
0.31
0.05
Statistics correct as of 20/08/2024
The midfielder made 304 appearances during his initial spell at the Etihad Stadium, and he would immediately become a key part of Guardiola’s plans for the remainder of the campaign if he joins despite Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich and Newcastle United skipper Bruno Guimareas remaining on the Sky Blues’ radar.
Early indications suggest that Gundogan is entertaining the possibility of returning to Manchester City as he has welcomed the interest, according to GMS sources, but he is keen to consider alternative options that were beginning to come into view before making a final decision.
Cancelo May Make Permanent Sky Blues Exit
Barcelona eye agreement for Portugal international before deadline
Joao Cancelo in action for Barcelona
GMS sources have learned that La Liga heavyweights Barcelona retain an interest in Manchester City outcast Joao Cancelo after he spent last season on loan in Catalonia, and separate deals involving the Portugal international and Gundogan could open up ahead of the transfer window slamming shut next week.
Although there is unlikely to be scope for a high-profile swap deal to be negotiated, it is plausible that the duo will end up heading in opposite directions on a permanent basis as Guardiola and new Blaugrana head coach Hansi Flick make final alterations to their respective squads in the coming days.
Cancelo, who was recently ranked among the top 11 Premier League big-names desperately needing to embark on a fresh challenge by GMS, appears to have no future at the Etihad Stadium thanks to tension behind the scenes and the likes of Kyle Walker and Rico Lewis being above him in the pecking order.
Manchester City sporting director Txiki Begiristain and boss Pep Guardiola in front of the Etihad Stadium
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Manchester City have set their sights on welcoming a pair of fresh faces to the Etihad Stadium ahead of the transfer deadline
Manchester City succeeding in recapturing Gundogan would also result in the title-chasers not having to spend big on a high-profile signing in the middle of the park ahead of the deadline, with them being able to bridge the gap and splash the cash at the end of the current campaign instead.
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