Pep Guardiola has mastered virtually every challenge the Premier League has thrown at him, but his record against Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium leaves a lot to be desired.
Since Guardiola’s arrival in England, his cross-town rivals have visited the Etihad on six occasions – five times in the Premier League and once in the Carabao Cup. Manchester City have only won once, drawing another and losing the other four encounters.
Every single time the sides have faced off, City have been in far better shape – so why has this particular fixture become the Catalan’s kryptonite?
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The most memorable, of course, came in 2017/18. The Blues needed a win against their rivals to be crowned Premier League champions for the third time – the first under Guardiola’s stewardship. However, despite taking a 2-0 lead at half-time, City missed multiple glorious chances and United dramatically came back to win the game 3-2.
City went on to confirm the title just a week later - courtesy of United losing to bottom club West Brom - but that result just raised more and more questions as to why Guardiola was not able to capitalise on such a shaky defence. There was joy the following season, with David Silva, Sergio Agüero and Ilkay Gundogan all scoring in a 3-1 win, with the third goal a stunning 44-pass move.
But since that day, Guardiola has failed to record a league win at the Etihad against City's rivals and has been bested by ex-United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on multiple occasions. It must be said, however, that Guardiola’s Old Trafford record is exceptional. He has won six times, drawing once and only losing twice.
Now Solskjaer has left Old Trafford, Guardiola will be looking to put the past behind him this weekend and earn a Manchester derby win that’s pivotal in the Premier League title race. Ralf Rangnick’s side are struggling to gain any momentum at the moment. The 0-0 home draw with Roy Hodgson’s Watford was symptomatic of the mood around the club since his appointment – a lack of belief.
Guardiola’s side are on the opposite end of the spectrum. Despite a late loss to Tottenham Hotspur recently, City have picked up 46 of the possible 51 points on offer to them since a loss to Crystal Palace in October and sit six points clear at the top of the Premier League.
United have, however, hurt City when playing on the counterattack; so with Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford, there will always be opportunities for the home side to take advantage. City will surely take a lot of confidence from the sides' meeting earlier this season at Old Trafford, with their 2-0 win doing little to reflect their dominance.
If Guardiola is to get his hands on the club’s fourth Premier League title in five seasons, he will have to exorcise some of his demons and do what he’s failed to do on numerous occasions – swat away a poor Manchester United side at the Etihad Stadium.
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