Rio Ferdinand has heaped praise on Pep Guardiola and claimed the Manchester City boss “has stuck a middle finger up” to any of his doubters.
City went into this season without a recognised striker, with many questioning the decision to not replace record scorer Sergio Aguero.
But Guardiola’s side have rarely missed a beat and hold a nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League table with 13 games remaining.
Liverpool are the only side that have a genuine chance of catching City, having played a game fewer and with a potential title decider with the champions still to come.
But Manchester United legend Ferdinand thinks City have showed no signs of weakness and look to be ‘cruising’ towards a fourth title in five years.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Will Liverpool stop Man City from winning the Premier League? Let us know in the comments
“Points-wise it’s not over, but I just believe that City look too comfortable in their games. City look like they're in total control all the time,” Ferdinand said on his Vibe with Five podcast.
“There's no topsy-turvy games or moments where you go ‘oh my god they're on the ropes they're going to get beat here’. They're in cruise control.
“By the way, Pep Guardiola is doing this without a recognised striker in his team.
“He's basically put his middle finger up to the whole league and all of the media who were doubting him at the beginning of the season and said 'listen, have that and we're going to win the league doing it as well'.”
City and Liverpool both picked up wins over the weekend, maintaining the status-quo at the top of the division and Guardiola is refusing to underestimate Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool who are the only team to stop them winning a Premier League title since 2017.
“One game at a time. Like right now, one at a time. We don’t speak about points we are ahead or behind,” said the City boss.
“Last season we won the Premier League and were in one period in November when we were seventh or eighth in the table and ten off the leaders.
“At that moment, we think we’re out and just have to try to win the next game. It’s the same now, given the schedules.
“The first title we won, we had 100 points. The margin (over Liverpool) was bigger.
“If it was 14, I’d say closer, but nine and potentially six points if they beat Leeds - it’s not easy because when they have good rhythm it's difficult - but it’s nothing. Anything can happen.
“Both teams have shown they can make incredible runs. If one team is able to do it, they can again.
“Both have the same managers and squads and philosophies. Both made 18 wins in a row, now we are unbeaten in 12, they can do it - and we can do it too.”
