Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said that it is too early to call Manchester United – or any side – title challengers in the Premier League this season.
City face their cross-town neighbours in the Premier League on Sunday, with the two teams having made contrasting starts to the campaign. City opened the season with six straight wins before consecutive losses to Wolves and Arsenal, but a win over Brighton last time out leaves Guardiola’s side second.
Manchester United, meanwhile, are eighth after an unconvincing start to the campaign, but Guardiola has said it is too early in the season to rule teams in or out of the title picture.
“Too early [to say]. All the teams are there. Some teams that are a bit behind can get back,” Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference.
“When you play just nine game, many things are going to happen still.
“We have been behind in February and March and still been able to win.”
On whether this weekend’s opponents Manchester United, specifically, are title challengers, Guardiola added: “Ask me when there are nine games left if Man United are contenders. But now, so many things are going to happen.”
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