Pep Guardiola regrets not coaching an ex Man United star who he views as his “favourite player”.
Pep Guardiola has managed a whole host of world-class players but there is one former Man United player who he wishes he could have coached.
The Catalan is Manchester City’s most successful manager and could surpass Sir Alex Ferguson if he is able to guide the Blues to a record-breaking fourth Premier League title in a row.
But at a golf charity event hosted by Rory McIlroy in Belfast back in 2017, actor and huge United fan James Nesbitt came armed with a question.
He quizzed the former Barcelona boss on which former United star he wishes he managed.
And Guardiola’s answer was a swift one as he picked a player who had all the qualities needed to play for the Blaugrana.
“Ah, Paul Scholes,” he said, as per the Manchester Evening News.
“My favourite player.”
Scholes has regularly received praise from those associated with Barcelona, with Guardiola once hailing him as “the best midfielder of his generation” and someone who he wishes he played alongside in his playing days.
“Out of everyone at Manchester United, I would pick out Scholes – he is the best midfielder of his generation,” he said prior to the Champions League final at Wembley in 2011.
“I would have loved to have played alongside him.”
However, the 53-year-old has also shared his admiration about one of Scholes’ long-time midfield colleague.
He puts Michael Carrick in the same conversation as Xabi Alonso and Sergio Busquets, who he managed.
“I am a big fan of Michael [Carrick],” Guardiola said prior a Manchester derby in 2017.
“He is one of the best holding midfielders I’ve ever seen in my life by far.
“He’s the level of Xabi Alonso and Sergio Busquets.”