Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is amazed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's pre-derby warning to his Manchester United players that they should be ready to be kicked at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

On Tuesday morning Solskjaer said: "There will be fouls. They will snap at your ankles and heels and kick you."

"Did he say that? With 65% or 70% possession, how do we do that?" said Guardiola.

"I don't like it. My side is not built like that, not at all."
Guardiola has previously denied accusations he tells his teams to commit 'tactical fouls' to halt opposition counter-attacks.

Privately, City are bemused at United letting Solskjaer speak about the issue, mainly because the statistics do not back up the Norwegian's view.

According to Opta, City have conceded 170 free-kicks, excluding off-sides, in the opposition half so far this season. In contrast, United have conceded 195.

In addition, City have amassed 38 yellow cards and one red in the Premier League this season - for United, the figures are 64 and four.

"In 10 seasons as a manager, I never prepared for a game thinking about these things. Never," insisted Guardiola.

"In football, you sometimes do that [foul] because the actions are so fast. But I never said we should do it to punish an opponent or cancel them. Maybe after the game you can ask him in the press conference."

'Solskjaer's comments won't influence referee'

In November, Guardiola was given a formal warning by the Football Association for speaking about referee Anthony Taylor before the previous Manchester derby at Etihad Stadium, which City won 3-1.

In October, Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez was fined £60,000 for comments he made about Andre Marriner before a goalless draw with Crystal Palace.

Marriner will be in charge at Old Trafford and, as FA rules specifically forbid managers speaking about referees prior to matches, Solskjaer risked a sanction when he said: "They [City] commit so many players forward and you can clearly see that they've got them in that mould of trying to win the ball back, and they do make fouls.

"It's up to us to play through that press, be ready, play one and two-touch, don't give them time. If you spend two or three touches… it's not my decision, it's the referee's responsibility to do that."

Asked if those comments could influence Marriner, Guardiola said: "That's the reason why, of course.

"But I don't think it will be successful because we don't do it."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48028390

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logon599:
First time in recent history that Liverpool fans will be vigorously supporting their most bitter rivals Man United

Also first time in recent history that a team with at least 88 points won't win the title, as both City and Liverpool are sure to surpass that points total.

Basically it's the tightest title race in recent history.

This is why I LOVE the EPL

No,not the tightest,it was the one aguero scored a late stunner...while man United was waiting to celebrate...

Man City will win still.

This EPL race will run till Match day 38!

Ole know that he will loss the match so he creating ways to address the press after the match.

get use to it, it's part of the game

Football

Hahahah

Dear Manchester United, please loose in peace
It will be a disaster to humanity if Liverpool win the league.

Play make we know wetin go happen tonight

I am here repping Chelsea FC.
Man City will definitely carry the day, but I wish for a draw so that Liverpool can win the league.

jerrybakermillz:
Football

Bloody hell!

Manchester City and Tactical foul whenever they lose possession are like 5 & 6... Everyone know that... Guardiola should shut up

CTID

Yen yen yen ...winner will still win,loser will still lose.

liverpools balls they for man u hand.

logon599:
First time in recent history that Liverpool fans will be vigorously supporting their most bitter rivals Man United

Also first time in recent history that a team with at least 88 points won't win the title, as both City and Liverpool are sure to surpass that points total.

Basically it's the tightest title race in recent history.

This is why I LOVE the EPL

And the easiest relegation race in history

Huddersfield town has been relegated since game 31

Anyway kudos to Liverpool and klopp

If not mancity would have done a ligue 1 in Epl

Oh, they do do it! Always disrupting the fast counter!

All those niggling little fouls not even worth a card!

LilSfc:
Dear Manchester United, please loose in peace
It will be a disaster to humanity if Liverpool win the league.

dear Manchester united and its fans don't mind this man
fight to the finish
you have lost to barca and Everton
don't let this one count !!!
its not about Liverpool
its about your name and history !!!!

try so you can even smell Europa ooo!!!!!

Wen Pep got to defend his team in the press conference against d opponent's verbal abuse..... Just know say d opponent don buy market b dat.

Better for Liverpool to win the league than for Pep to win back to back EPL

Apprentice OLS.. Come to think of it what experience does he even have as a coach...

All these Man Utd legends that keep running their mouths, one by one they are all gonna be disgraced.

The other one went to Spain and almost relegated Valencia..

One coached milton KD and ran off for just one month..

Ferdinand should be given job too let's see how he fairs..

Shame on all Red devil fans that say OLS is better than the special one.

I need the special one to return to my team next season..

Whenever he's around boring football or not his team is always challenging for something..

don't be surprised when city scores today... United fans in the stands will roar for exictment... football... EPL... rivalry...

Liverpool is behind you Man United...we wish u victory today

FreemanUYB:


dear Manchester united and its fans don't mind this man
fight to the finish
you have lost to barca and Everton
don't let this one count !!!
its not about Liverpool
its about your name and history !!!!

try so you can even smell Europa ooo!!!!!

Man U is sure of Europa if UCL is not feasible

OGS is like a foolish Nigerian student who will claim the lecturer fails him delibrately when he scores less 40% while other students are scoring 75% A.

How do you claim city kicks opponent when they have dominated possession against you and almost every of their opponent? Did you score and the referee disallowed it ? In fact Man utd is guilty of the offence they are accusing city for. They conceded penalty against Arsenal in the second leg and even had arsenal players pulled off with injury in the first leg.

E be like the goals OGS dey chop recently don dey block him eyes o

Manchester United should play this match already and chop 5-0 and stop whining like female gossips.

Both football clubs no be mate in terms of good football.

City will crush united tonight








FVCK LOSERPOOL

I am a United fan but I have to admit that we talk too much.

Was Solksjaer's Comment Necessary? Instead of him to be talking about being Wary of the goals we will conceede or the runs that Sterling, Sane & bernado silva will be making, he is talking about kicks.

Nonsense.