Man United are ‘finally coming back’ – Man City boss Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola believes rivals United are on their way back to the top as the battle for Champions League places gets harder.

Guardiola is trying to make City only the second side – after United – to win three consecutive titles in the Premier League era and believes the spirit in the camp is better than it was the last time they had the opportunity in the 2019-20 season.

But he said the task has only grown harder with the likes of United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle all scrapping for top-four places.

United haven’t won the Premier League since 2013 and last season finished sixth in the Premier League table.

But Guardiola said he has seen enough during Ten Hag’s first few months in charge to know they are re-establishing themselves as contenders.

“I have the feeling United are coming back, finally United is coming back,” Guardiola said. “I’ve seen it on Thursday (the 3-0 win over Sheriff Tiraspol), and against Chelsea in the first half (of the 1-1 draw last weekend).

“I said I like what I see of United right now. There will be a lot of teams like United fighting. That’s why you have to fight to qualify for the Champions League and fight for the title.”

United sits in sixth place in the table, six points off reigning champion City. But Ten Hag has overseen confidence-boosting wins against Liverpool, league leader Arsenal and Tottenham this term.

Last week’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea means United has picked up 10 points against those four rivals for Champions League qualification.

Guardiola also praised fourth-place Newcastle, and predicted that the Saudi-backed club, managed by Eddie Howe, will also challenge this term.

“Newcastle are already there,” Guardiola said in his news conference ahead of Saturday’s Premier League game against Liecester. “I saw them against Tottenham and the physicality from both sides. … They are a contender to be there. We know how good Eddie the manager is. They have new players. They play brave.”