After making a mess of it, Miami must now make most of Messi

How it felt to see Messi first

How it feels to beat Lionel Messi

The best players, coaches & teams of the 21st century - ranked

The 25 best USMNT players of the 21st century - ranked

Scenario which could see Wrexham doc viewers switch off

Vini Jr's struggles continue as Brazil drop more WCQ points

Amorim told he's already made his first mistake at Man Utd

‘Don’t like that’ – Messi questioned by USMNT legend

Does USMNT star Pulisic have surprising Premier League suitor?

Twellman reportedly investigated for physical altercation

Van Nistelrooy applies for head coach role with English club

'Please leave him alone' - Deschamps sends out Mbappe plea

Manchester City

Manchester United

Liverpool

Arsenal

Chelsea

Other

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_d6e1e5da-7d9a-43d5-97e1-f4350a3cd7e3"}}</script><ul><li>Guardiola not underestimating United</li><li>'They have the biggest quality'</li><li>Red Devils reeling after defeat by Fulham</li></ul>

Pep Guardiola refuses to underestimate Man Utd ahead of derby despite their troubles as Man City boss insists floundering Red Devils 'have biggest quality'

Premier League

Tottenham

Ipswich

United are four places and 15 points behind City in the Premier League and sunk to a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/damned-united-back-pitiful-fulham-defeat-revival-built-on-sand-sir-jim-ratcliffe-settle-europa-league/bltd267aa494bb20e17" target="_blank">disheartening home defeat by Fulham</a> last week. They also are missing key players including Rasmus Hojlund, Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire. However, the Catalan pointed out that United had previously been unbeaten in the new year and insisted he was expecting City's rivals to be a threat.

WHAT HAPPENED?

"They went to Luton and beat them, Wolves and beat them, Aston Villa to go and win a few weeks ago. They have the biggest quality," Guardiola told a press conference. "From one action they create something special with set pieces, transitions. Always have been demanding, when they play good, they will win. In 2024 they lost just one game, the consistency is there. [We will] prepare tactically, what we have to do to get three points."

WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID

New United minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe has vowed to 'knock City and Liverpool off their perch' and<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/knock-off-perch-sir-jim-ratcliffe-sir-alex-ferguson-threat-rivals-liverpool-man-city-man-utd-glazers/blte75bb501d68f39b5" target="_blank"> targeted another league title within the next three years</a>. Guardiola refused to comment on Ratcliffe's ambitions but acknowledged how tough it has been for United to reassert themselves at the top since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013. "Big clubs, you have to win. Not easy for United, an incredible period with Sir Alex. It's not easy," Guardiola added. "The big clubs used to have more patience, now there is a lot of pressure. I don't know the reason why, I'm not there."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Guardiola has won 11 of his 20 Manchester derbies, drawing twice and losing seven times, giving him the best record of any City manager against United. He has also turned the Cityzens into the dominant force in English football.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Manchester derby is the beginning of a testing month of fixtures for City which will see them face Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal in the Premier League plus a Champions League last-16 second leg against Copenhagen and an FA Cup quarter-final tie with Newcastle. Guardiola added: "How nice [to have this run of fixtures]. We worked so far since we arrived here to live these kind of moments."

WHAT NEXT FOR GUARDIOLA?

Pep Guardiola refuses to underestimate Man Utd ahead of derby despite their troubles as Man City boss insists floundering Red Devils 'have biggest quality' | Goal.com US

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola refuses to believe Manchester United will be easy opponents in Sunday&apos;s derby at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola refuses to underestimate Man Utd ahead of derby despite their troubles as Man City boss insists floundering Red Devils &apos;have biggest quality&apos;