Pep Guardiola has reportedly privately admitted that he would only consider selecting one player from Manchester United to join his Manchester City squad.
City secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Brentford on Tuesday night, reclaiming the second spot in the Premier League standings. Currently, trailing league leaders Liverpool by just one point, with a game in hand, City’s dominance highlights the notable gap in quality between them and their crosstown rivals, United.
According to Football Insider, Guardiola has expressed his admiration for Marcus Rashford, deeming him the sole United player capable of consistently featuring in his City lineup.
Despite Rashford’s relatively modest goal tally of five in 30 appearances across all competitions under Erik ten Hag’s management this season, Guardiola has long held Rashford in high regard.
Rashford’s recent performances have drawn praise from the City manager, highlighting his admiration for the forward’s abilities.
While Rashford’s on-field contributions may not match his career-best season in 2022/23, where he netted an impressive 30 goals, the 26-year-old remains a coveted talent.
Although Guardiola’s acknowledgment of Rashford’s prowess offers a rare instance of praise from a rival manager, it underscores the significant gap in quality between the two Manchester clubs.
Meanwhile, United’s focus remains on securing a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League. With the team set to face Fulham in their upcoming Premier League fixture, manager Erik ten Hag acknowledges the need for improvement to achieve their objectives.
Reflecting on their recent victory and missed opportunities, ten Hag emphasizes the importance of consistency and clinical finishing from his frontline.
Despite the challenges ahead, ten Hag remains optimistic, acknowledging the competitive nature of the league and the importance of maintaining momentum as the season progresses.
