Pep Guardiola insists he was joking about ‘ridiculous’ plan for Manchester derby

Pep Guardiola has admitted he was ‘joking’ when he said earlier this week that he had ‘ridiculous’ tactical plans in his head for Saturday’s derby against Manchester United.

Manchester United will face Manchester City on Saturday in what is shaping up to be one of the ties of the season.

United are firmly in the race for the top four while City are trying to close a five-point gap to league leaders Arsenal.

Looking forward to the derby, City boss Pep Guardiola confirmed that he has a “ridiculous plan” for the Red Devils.

Guardiola also added that he’s not sure what style of play United implement or what players they field and so would watch the Charlton game closely to get a better understanding.

Guardiola has recanted his earlier opinion on the existence of a “ridiculous” plan as the mind games go full throttle ahead of the crucial showdown on Saturday.

The Spaniard said, “It was a joke. I don’t have ridiculous thoughts [ahead of the Manchester derby]. It will be a normal thing. People take the sentence in a different way.”

And, speaking ahead of tomorrow’s clash, Guardiola was pressed again in his pre-match press conference on his supposed tactical plans.

The Spaniard replied: ‘It was a joke’, pouring cold water on the idea that he could do something wacky with City’s set-up.