Pep: I don’t like Ole foul claims

2:10

Pep Guardiola was surprised to learn Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had accused his side of using tactical fouls to prevent opponents from counter-attacking

Pep Guardiola was surprised to learn Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had accused his side of using tactical fouls to prevent opponents from counter-attacking

Pep Guardiola has dismissed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s claim that Manchester City will use tactical fouling to prevent Manchester United from counter-attacking in Wednesday’s crucial derby.

Guardiola’s City need a win to go back above Liverpool in the Premier League title race, while United will be looking to reignite their hopes of top-four finish at Old Trafford.

Man Utd vs Man City

April 24, 2019, 7:00pm

Live on

United manager Solskjaer said on Tuesday morning that he had ‘no doubt’ that City will ‘snap at your ankles and heels and kick you.’

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is attempting to secure a top-four finish for Manchester United.

When informed of Solskajer’s comments, Guardiola said: “Did he say that? With 75 per cent the average, or 65-70 per cent average of the ball, how do you do that?

“I never prepare a game in my 10 seasons as a manager thinking about these kind of things, never. And my players can talk better than me about that. The players who I had in Barcelona, Bayern Munich and here.

“I’m concerned about many, many other things about the game we have to play to beat them than these kind of things. Tomorrow in the press conference after the game you can ask him (Solskjaer) again about that.”

City’s possession-based style of football has seen them complete a Premier League-leading 23,839 passes this season, compared to United’s 17,109 after 34 games.

2:55

Highlights from Manchester City’s win over Tottenham in the Premier League.

Highlights from Manchester City’s win over Tottenham in the Premier League.

United have committed 201 fouls, receiving 64 yellow cards, while City have been given only 38 cautions following 172 fouls.

Guardiola suggested that Solskjaer’s comments were designed to influence the way referee Stuart Atwell officiates Wednesday’s game, but the City boss didn’t think the alleged tactic would be a success.

“That is the reason why, of course,” Guardiola said of Solskjaer’s motivation.

“I don’t like it. Our team is not built… and created for that, not at all.

“Of course there is contact, of course there are fouls. That’s why there are referees, to make a yellow card or red card or whatever they decide, but never, never, never I prepare a game… I want to do our game.”

Play Super 6

Predict 6 correct scores for your chance to win £250K.