Pep Guardiola has previously descried Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford as ‘perfect’ and defended Paul Pogba, as his Manchester City side gear up for this weekend's derby.
The City manager also identified United great (and former caretaker boss) Michael Carrick as one of the few who would have got into his great Barcelona side of the past at his peak.
Speaking ahead of a derby clash in 2017 — one of Guardiola's first in the city, as he prepared to lock horns with Jose Mourinho — Guardiola lavished praised on Carrick and a few members of the United team who are still there now under Ralf Rangnick. The German interim boss is preparing for his first ever Manchester derby.
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Speaking five years ago, Guardiola said: “I am a big fan of Michael Carrick. He is one of the best holding midfielders I’ve ever seen in my life by far. He’s the level of Xabi Alonso, Sergio Busquets in Barcelona and Munich.
On United's homegrown core, Guardiola added: "“All of them, they are perfect. Rashford is a big talent, of course, and Lingard.
“England is safe, you have outstanding players. Not just here in City — United, Tottenham, Chelsea. Come on guys — you can do it, the international team.”
“I met Paul Pogba for the first time when Bayern Munich played Juventus last season,” said Guardiola, speaking about the 2015/16 meeting between the sides. “In both games I was really impressed. He played in 10 positions. He is an outstanding player and he can do absolutely everything.
“Sometimes it’s not easy to handle the expectations you have when you arrive here, especially with the amount of money, it wasn’t easy. I think he made a good season.”
Whether Lingard, Pogba and Rashford all start for Rangnick's United side this Sunday at the Etihad seems unlikely, with new academy talent Anthony Elanga competing for a place in the line-up. Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes have both arrived at Old Trafford in recent years and will, inevitably, command a place in the starting XI too.
Guardiola is looking to complete just a second Premier League double over United since arriving at City, having done so in the 2018/19 season.
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