Pep Guardiola gave a cheeky response when asked if he would be cheering on rivals Manchester United this weekend.
The Manchester City boss will be hoping for a favour from the club’s neighbours on Sunday, when United play host to title-chasing Liverpool at Old Trafford.
The Reds currently lead the way in the Premier League, two points ahead of Arsenal, with City a point further back in third place.
Following whatever happens in the trios midweek contest the next instalment of the three-way tussle for top spot, will see Man City travel to Crystal Palace, Arsenal at Brighton and headlined by the meeting of old rivals United and Liverpool.
Talking in his pre-match press conference before City host Aston Villa on Wednesday, Guardiola was asked about Sunday’s showdown and whether he’ll be cheering on Erik ten Hag’s side.
In response the Spanish boss cheekily said: ‘Always I support United!’ with a wry smile before being asked it that was really true and correcting himself by saying ‘Not really, but anyway…’
Guardiola will be hoping the Red Devils can repeat the heroics of their FA Cup win from last month, when United put pay to Liverpool’s quadruple hopes by dumping them out of the competition.
The topsy-turvey encounter saw Ten Hag’s men best the Reds 4-3 in extra time, thanks to Antony’s dramatic winner.
Before that cup clash, the two sides fought out an uneventful goalless draw in the reverse fixture at Anfield, but Jurgen Klopp will head into his final encounter with United as Liverpool boss desperate to keep his team ahead of Guardiola’s reigning champions.
With it being Klopp’s final few games in charge, Guardiola was also asked if he feels like everyone outside of Manchester City and Arsenal would like to see Liverpool win the Premier League as a fitting send off for the German.
His response was to brush off the theory, by stating: ‘I don’t have an opinion now. I had two years [ago], now I don’t have it.’
