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Pep Guardiola says Manchester United are "coming back"

Pep Guardiola says Manchester United are
© Reuters
Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola claims that Manchester United are now "coming back" after a difficult period in their history.

Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola believes that Manchester United are "coming back", with the Red Devils showing progress under the leadership of Erik ten Hag.

The 20-time English champions have largely struggled since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure in 2013, but the team have made a positive start to the 2022-23 campaign under Ten Hag.

The Dutchman has led his side to 10 wins from their 16 games in all competitions this season, while they are unbeaten in their last seven matches ahead of Sunday's clash with West Ham United.

Man United are currently sixth in the Premier League table, just six points behind second-placed Man City, and Guardiola has said that the English giants are "coming back" under Ten Hag.

"I have the feeling that United is coming back," he told reporters on Friday. "Finally! United is coming! I saw signals yesterday (from their 3-0 win over Sheriff Tiraspol) and in the game against Chelsea in the first half.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola pictured on October 16, 2022© Reuters

"I thought 'I like it', what I see from United just now. There will be a lot of teams (competing at the top). That is why you have to fight for the Champions League and fight for the title.

"In the first 10 games you don't win the Premier League, but you can be a little bit behind. Newcastle [United] are already there. I saw them against Tottenham [Hotspur] and the physicality from both sides."

Arsenal currently lead the way in the Premier League, with the Gunners picking up 28 points from their opening 11 matches of the season, while Tottenham and Newcastle are third and fourth respectively.

Chelsea sit in fifth position, one point above sixth-placed Man United, although the top two, in addition to Chelsea and Man United, have a game in hand over Tottenham and Newcastle.

Fred celebrates scoring for Manchester United against Tottenham Hotspur on October 18, 2022© Reuters

Since winning the title in Ferguson's final season in charge, Man United have finished seventh, fourth, fifth, sixth, second, sixth, third, second and sixth in England's top flight.

The 20-time English champions will follow Sunday's clash against West Ham with a trip to Spain, as they bid to qualify directly for the knockout round of the Europa League at the expense of Real Sociedad.

Ten Hag's side will then face Aston Villa in back-to-back games in the league and EFL Cup before heading to Fulham on November 13 in their final match before the season breaks for the World Cup.

Man United will again be missing Anthony Martial through injury against West Ham, but Cristiano Ronaldo is in contention to start after making a scoring return to the team against Sheriff Tiraspol on Thursday.

Man City, meanwhile, will be looking to make it back-to-back wins in the Premier League when they head to the King Power Stadium on Saturday to take on Leicester City.

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3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
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5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
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19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


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