Man City boss Pep Guardiola brands Man Utd as 'weak' ahead of Sevilla clash

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola claimed Manchester United were "weak" while talking about the Super Cup.

The Super Cup pits the Champions League winners and the Europa League champions against each other.

And City are competing in the game for the first time, having won their first Champions League last season.

Pep Guardiola's men will face perennial Europa League winners Sevilla in the competition. The La Liga side overcame Roma in an ill-tempered final to win the Europa League in a penalty shootout.

It was their seventh Europa League win.

And previewing the game, which will take place in Athens, Greece, Guardiola issued a sly dig at CIty's rivals United.

The City boss said via the Manchester Evening News: "I have a feeling, excuse my arrogance, that Man City are favourites for the Super Cup. We have quality, but of course we know there are no favourites. I saw the second leg of Sevilla vs United; United were weak, Sevilla can be strong."

Guardiola also confirmed City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne is set to be out for at least "three to four months" and could require surgery on his ongoing hamstring problems.

The City boss added: "Surgery is surgery. He will be out for three or four months.

"The injury for Kevin is a sore blow for us. But at the same time we have to look forward. The skills of Kevin are irreplaceable but it's an opportunity for others and I'm sure they will take it."

The game at Burnley was De Bruyne's first start since he was forced off with a hamstring injury against Inter Milan in last season's Champions League final.

The Belgian missed most of City's pre-season but came off the bench in their Community Shield defeat to Arsenal on August 6.

Guardiola told Sky Sports: "Maybe [we shouldn't have taken a chance to start him].

"But what happens in 15 minutes can be an injury in 60, 65, 70 when the fatigue comes in the legs, but we have an injury in 15 minutes."