EPL: Guardiola reveals why Manchester Derby is not important, United winning title

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, feels Manchester United were still in the title race, but does not believe Sunday’s Derby is the biggest game of the season.

United finished second, 19 points behind City last term, but they are seventh going into the Derby.

The title race has been billed as a three-team affair with Chelsea and Liverpool, both three points behind City, also yet to taste defeat in the league.

“No, no, no,” Guardiola said when asked if Sunday’s Manchester derby was the biggest game of the season for City.

“Of course games against contenders are special because if you win, they don’t win, but it’s November, so maybe the game at Old Trafford [in March] will be more important.

“Of course we are on a good run, United as well, it will be like all the games so tight, no team controls the game for 90 minutes and we have to defend well and attack like we have in the last games.

“All the derbies are special, I think in Spain there’s more noise [in the media] than here, before the game especially, but it’s always special for everybody.

“In our history of Manchester City it’s hard to beat United and they beat us more times but it’s a good rivalry and a good chance for three points. We will try especially to have a good game.

“They are not out of the race, not in November it’s impossible, no way. They can recover well like 2-0 v Newcastle, big club, big mentality. Since we arrive we try to convince to never give up and try again and again it’s why in the last month we didn’t lose two or three in a row, we are consistent.

“But United have it themselves, with their history behind them, it’s always there. November, five or six strong teams, one issue in March and April but now everything is open, football changes in one week or two weeks.”