Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola delivered a tongue-in-cheek response to crosstown rivals Manchester United winning major silverware on Sunday.
Goals from Casemiro and Marcus Rashford sealed a 2-0 win for United over Newcastle in the League Cup final at Wembley.
United manager Erik ten Hag secured his first silverware at the club, with the Red Devils ending a six-year trophy drought dating back to Jose Mourinho’s reign.
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The Red Devils have been widely praised for their remarkable turnaround this season under Ten Hag, who arrived at Old Trafford from Ajax last summer.
United reinforced significantly under Ten Hag last summer with the arrivals of Antony, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen.
The Red Devils could also secure more major silverware this season, with United still in the FA Cup and the Europa League.
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And Ten Hag’s men are continuing to strengthen their place in the Premier League top four, with third-place United eight points adrift of league leaders Arsenal.
Following United’s League Cup triumph, Guardiola aimed a cheeky dig at the Red Devils over landing major silverware after their spending in the transfer window.
“Sooner or later, it should happen, shouldn’t it? It should happen,” he told reporters.
“If they spend a little more money, yes. It’s because they didn’t spend, isn’t it?
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“It’s normal, they’re in the position they normally should be. The reality is that two teams, Liverpool and ourselves, have done incredibly well in the numbers.”
Speaking after United’s triumph at Wembley, Ten Hag told Sky Sports: “I just want to win!
“We invested from the start of the season with the staff, they did an incredible job, with the players -- staff and players they are together.
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“Together [are] also the fans, [it’s] really surprising how the fans stay, and there’s real hungriness and a desire for trophies, because Man United stands for trophies.
“Raphael Varane, Casemiro and David de Gea know how to win trophies and you need such lads on the pitch to point the team.
“They have the winning attitude they have to bring it in the dressing room, in difficult situations and that is what they have done.”
United return to action in the fifth round of the FA Cup against West Ham on Wednesday before their Premier League clash against Liverpool on Sunday.
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Topics: Pep Guardiola, Manchester City, Manchester United, Premier League, England, Football, Carabao Cup
Adnan Riaz