Pep Guardiola expects more from his free-scoring Manchester City side as he insists he won't change his style of play against Man United because it would say to his players: 'I am scared'

  • Manchester City take on local rivals United at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon 
  • City can go 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a win 
  • Despite his side's excellent start, Pep Guardiola has said he isn't satisfied 
  • Guardiola also insists he won't be changing his style of play against United 

Pep Guardiola isn't satisfied with his free-scoring, table-topping Manchester City players and wants more from them.

Guardiola's City will go 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a win over local rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

This is Guardiola's second season in charge at the Etihad, and while his side are in excellent form, he believes his players can do better, particularly when playing more defensive teams.

Pep Guardiola wants more from his free-scoring, table-topping Manchester City players

Pep Guardiola wants more from his free-scoring, table-topping Manchester City players

Guardiola spoke to former United defender Gary Neville during an interview on Sky Sports

Guardiola spoke to former United defender Gary Neville during an interview on Sky Sports

Asked if there was room for improvement, Guardiola told Sky Sports: 'Yeah we can do better. For example, we still have a lot of possession we are attacking defences with nine or ten players there [such as Huddersfield or West Ham]. 


'How we attack better in that position but in terms of control in the statistics in all the games we've conceded fewer than the opponent and created more than the opponent and that is the principle. After that you win or lose. 

'But as a manager you have to get the team creating more chances than the opponent and concede fewer. We can score more goal and that is what we need to try.'

The City boss wants his players to do better, particularly when playing more defensive sides

The City boss wants his players to do better, particularly when playing more defensive sides

Season at a glance

  • Premier League
  • Premier League
  • Championship
  • League One
  • League Two
  • Scottish Premiership
  • Scottish Div 1
  • Scottish Div 2
  • Scottish Div 3
  • Ligue 1
  • Serie A
  • La Liga
  • Bundesliga

Guardiola is yet to lose to Jose Mourino's United in the league. His first experience of a Manchester derby came in September last year when City won 2-1 at Old Trafford.

Given Mourinho's approach to bigger games has seen him deploy a more defensive style, it has been suggested that Guardiola would adapt his tactics.

The Spanish manager admits there is no chance of that, adding if he did he would be giving a defeatist impression to his players. 

He said: 'No way because if I change I will send a message to my players that I am scared. 

I am going to send a message to the players I'm going to adapt what they do. I am going to adapt when they are better but when they are not better we are going to try and get them to adapt to us.'       

He has also said he won't be changing his style of play to combat Jose Mourinho's tactics 

He has also said he won't be changing his style of play to combat Jose Mourinho's tactics