Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has fired a dig at Manchester United following their success in the Carabao Cup.
Erik ten Hag secured the first trophy of his reign at Old Trafford as United beat Newcastle 2-0 in Sunday’s final at Wembley.
United remain in contention to add to their trophy haul this season as they are still in the FA Cup and the Europa League, while they sit eight points behind Arsenal in the Premier League table.
Pep Guardiola has joked that Manchester United may need to spend more to win more trophies (Shutterstock)
But Guardiola has cheekily joked that United may need to spend more in order to secure more silverware.
‘Congratulations to United,’ said Guardiola. ‘Sooner or later it should happen, shouldn’t it? Welcome.’
When asked if he considers United as challengers for more trophies, Guardiola replied with a grin: ‘If they spend a little more money, yes, because they didn’t spend, isn’t it?
‘They’re in the position they normally should be.’
Erik ten Hag has secured his first trophy as Manchester United manager (Shutterstock)
Erik ten Hag secured the first trophy of his reign at Old Trafford as United beat Newcastle 2-0 in Sunday’s final at Wembley.
United remain in contention to add to their trophy haul this season as they are still in the FA Cup and the Europa League, while they sit eight points behind Arsenal in the Premier League table.
But Guardiola has cheekily joked that United may need to spend more in order to secure more silverware.
‘Congratulations to United,’ said Guardiola. ‘Sooner or later it should happen, shouldn’t it? Welcome.’
When asked if he considers United as challengers for more trophies, Guardiola replied with a grin: ‘If they spend a little more money, yes, because they didn’t spend, isn’t it?
‘They’re in the position they normally should be.’
Despite his tongue-in-cheek comment, Guardiola also praised Ten Hag for doing ‘an incredible job’ at United.
‘I remember when we travelled to win our first Carabao Cup, everyone was so excited to do it,’ Guardiola said
‘For the staff it was new, for the players it was new. When we travelled there to win the Carabao Cup for the fourth time in a row, it was like, ‘well, it’s OK, another one, another day in the office’.
‘It’s normal that United has to be there. When I landed here, I thought United would always be there, for the history, for everything, and Erik is doing an incredible job.
‘And the players, you see how committed they are, how all together they try to do it.’
Julian Alvarez ‘discussing lucrative new Manchester City contract’
Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez is reportedly in discussions over extending his contract at the Etihad Stadium.
The 23-year-old signed for the Citizens for around £14m in January 2022 and immediately returned to boyhood club River Plate on loan before linking up with Pep Guardiola‘s side last summer.
Alvarez has had to play second fiddle behind Erling Braut Haaland during his first season at the club, starting only 12 of his 30 appearances in all competitions.
However, the forward has still managed to find the net 10 times this term, including five goals in the Premier League, with his latest strike coming in the 4-1 away victory over Bournemouth on Saturday.
Alvarez elevated his reputation on the global stage when he starred for 2022 World Cup winners Argentina in Qatar, contributing with four goals and one assists in seven matches.
Alvarez is under contract at the Etihad until the summer of 2027, but there has been speculation about the forward’s long-term future at the club, with Sport claiming that he is ‘concerned’ about his peripheral first-team role under Guardiola.
The same report also claims that Barcelona are keeping tabs on his situation and have identified the youngster as someone who could provide competition for 34-year-old Robert Lewandowski in attack.
However, according to Football Insider, Man City have opened talks with Alvarez over a lucrative new contract, with the reigning Premier League champions keen to reward the Argentine for his progress since joining the club.
The report adds that Alvarez is currently earning around £50,000 a week, but his proposed new deal will see him become one of the highest earners at the club.
Alvarez is in contention to start for Man City when they travel to Ashton Gate to face Bristol City in Tuesday’s FA Cup fifth-round tie, and speaking ahead of the match, Guardiola praised the forward’s impact with the first team.
“[Julian is] so quick. When he plays behind Erling, it means we have one more man in the box,” Guardiola told reporters at a press conference on Monday.
“He scored in both pockets – always he is there. We need an extra man in the 18-yard box and this helps Erling score goals too.”
Alvarez is not the only Citizens star who could be in line for a new contract, as defender Nathan Ake is reportedly in talks over extending his deal which runs until June 2025.
Source: metro.co.uk; sportsmole.co.uk
