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Pep Guardiola admits love for football's "Who are ya?!" chant ahead of Manchester derby

Pep Guardiola admits love for football's "Who are ya?!" chant ahead of Manchester derby

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola made a point of showing his love for football's iconic "Who are ya" chant ahead of Sunday's derby.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted love for football's 'Who are ya' chant, speaking ahead of Sunday's clash with Manchester United.

The Premier League champions take on Erik ten Hag's side for the first time this season.

The 188th Manchester derby also marks the return of English top-flight football following the final international break before the 2022 World Cup - which kicks off in November.

Manchester City will be looking to pick up exactly where they left off prior to the season interval.

Goals from Jack Grealish, Erling Haaland, and Phil Foden secured the Blues a 0-3 away win at Molineux, maintaining the club's unbeaten record to the new campaign.

Heading into the weekend's fixture, City remain the only unbeaten side in the division following Tottenham's defeat at Arsenal on Saturday afternoon.

For Pep Guardiola, there is seemingly no sense of pressure, despite the occasion and magnitude of the game that is presented in front of him.

The City boss has stressed his calmness and love for the atmosphere that often comes with derby fixtures.

Man City manager Pep Guardiola
Man City manager Pep Guardiola

Speaking during his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday afternoon's clash, Pep Guardiola said, "My experience in derbies has always been so calm.

"You go to the stadium, Old Trafford or here, and the fans boo or say, ‘Who are you?’ but the rest is a football game.

"I love it that way."

The Manchester City boss continued, "We want the passion and the supporters of the team that win are going to laugh at the loser.

"That’s nice. It’s part of the game."

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola has a relatively strong record in Manchester derby fixtures.

However, in recent times, the City boss has been stronger in clashes at Old Trafford than at the Etihad Stadium.

Nevertheless, the last time these two sides met, it was a comprehensive 4-1 victory for Manchester City on their way to a fourth Premier League title in the last five seasons.


Featured Image Credit: ImageChina Limited / Alamy

Topics: Pep Guardiola, Manchester City, Manchester United, Premier League, Football

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