In the high-stakes world of the English Premier League, where every point is a battle and every position a testament to resilience, Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola has stirred the pot with a cheeky dig at arch-rivals Manchester United. Speaking ahead of a crucial clash against Everton on April 19, 2025, the Spanish tactician reflected on City’s turbulent season, admitting that their fifth-place standing could have been far worse. “People say we are fourth now but I say yeah we could be 11th or 12th or 13th or 14th,” Guardiola quipped, a pointed nod to United’s current 14th-place plight, where they languish with 14 losses in 32 matches under Ruben Amorim. The remark, laced with both humor and rivalry, underscores the contrasting fortunes of Manchester’s football giants in a season that has defied expectations.
Manchester City, the reigning champions who clinched four consecutive Premier League titles, have faced an uncharacteristically rocky campaign. A dismal run of just one win in 13 games across all competitions late in 2024 saw them slip to seventh by Boxing Day, a far cry from their usual dominance. Injuries to key players like Rodri, John Stones, and Erling Haaland, coupled with the departure of midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne, have exposed vulnerabilities in a squad once deemed invincible. “I don’t think it’s a bad thing to fight to qualify for the Champions League,” Guardiola said, framing City’s battle for a top-five finish as a character-building challenge. “We could be in a much lower position in the Premier League if you had done fewer good things than we have done in these four, five months.” His words reflect a defiant optimism, even as City sit precariously two points ahead of Newcastle, who hold two games in hand.
Across town, Manchester United’s struggles have been even more pronounced. Amorim’s side, despite a thrilling 5-4 Europa League comeback against Lyon, has endured a historically poor Premier League season, guaranteed to record their worst-ever finish. The recent 0-0 draw in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford epitomized both teams’ woes, with United’s counter-attacking threat fizzling and City’s possession-heavy approach lacking bite. “We were a little bit more dangerous, we needed the killer instinct,” United captain Bruno Fernandes lamented post-match, highlighting their chronic goal-scoring issues. United’s faint hope of Champions League qualification now hinges on winning the Europa League, a tall order given their inconsistent form.
Guardiola’s comments, delivered with his trademark blend of candor and cunning, serve as both a defense of City’s efforts and a playful jab at United’s predicament. “Hopefully next season, we can be there, deal with the big clubs in Europe,” he added, looking ahead to an FA Cup semifinal and the chance to salvage the season with silverware. Yet, the Spaniard’s earlier admission that he’d have been sacked at any other club without City’s past successes—“In other clubs, without the recent success, I would have been sacked, definitely”—reveals the pressure he faces to restore City’s aura. His focus on rediscovering “spirit” and “solidarity,” sparked by a pivotal FA Cup win over Bournemouth in March, has yielded signs of recovery, including a five-goal fightback against Crystal Palace.
For United, the road ahead is fraught with challenges. Amorim’s project, while showing flashes of promise, is hampered by a squad struggling to adapt to his high-intensity style. The Red Devils’ 14 defeats, including a 2-1 loss to City in December, have left fans yearning for the days of Sir Alex Ferguson’s dominance. Meanwhile, City’s fight for a Champions League spot remains in their hands, with crucial matches against Aston Villa and Goodison Park looming. “Of course, Goodison Park and Villa is massively important because it’s just six games and we don’t have much time,” Guardiola noted, emphasizing the urgency of the final stretch.
As the Premier League season nears its climax, Guardiola’s sly dig at United adds spice to a rivalry that, despite both clubs’ struggles, still captivates. City’s quest to reclaim their perch and United’s battle to rise from the ashes promise a dramatic finish, with Guardiola’s words echoing as a reminder that even in tough times, the Manchester derby’s fire burns bright.