Pep Guardiola has reportedly 'privately admitted' he would only take one player from Manchester United to play for his Manchester City team.
City secured a narrow 1-0 win over Brentford on Tuesday night to move back up to second in the Premier League table.
They are currently one point behind leaders Liverpool, having played one game less.
United are currently sixth, 12 points behind City, a gap which reflects the current gulf in quality between the two teams.
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Football Insider claim Guardiola has privately claimed that only one United player is good enough to get into his City team - Marcus Rashford.
The England has scored just five times for Erik ten Hag's men this season despite having played 30 times in all competitions.
Failing to following up on his career-best of 30 strikes in 2022/23, the 26-year-old forward will be hoping he has done enough to earn a spot in Gareth Southgate's squad for this summer's European Championships in Germany.
But it is rare plaudits from crosstown rival manager Guardiola that have surfaced in recent days.
According to Football Insider, Pep is said to have long admired Rashford and states how he is the only member of United's squad who would play consistently at Manchester City.
The Red Devils forward signed a bumper new deal at Old Trafford in the summer, with his new wages reported to be in the region of £375,000 a week.
Ten Hag's squad are in action once more this weekend, set to take on Fulham in the Premier League.
Chasing down a place in next season's UEFA Champions League, the former Ajax boss has admitted there is work to do in order for his team to reach their desired goal.
“Yeah, we are back in the race," admitted the Dutchman, following his side's recent victory at Kenilworth Road.
"Still, we have to catch up. We are happy with scoring goals now.
"Also today we missed some great opportunities and I think the frontline can be more clinical. They have the abilities, but what is positive is the way we created the chances.
“Every game is a final and it's a long road and it's not be decided in February. So in this moment of the year, make sure that in April, you are in a position you can win. And so still we have to catch up, but we are back in the race.”
Topics: Manchester City, Manchester United, Pep Guardiola, Marcus Rashford
Matthew Holt