Guardiola Admits Man United Were BETTER in Epic Derby Win

Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, admitted that Manchester United earned their 2-0 victory in the derby.

The better team won. They were better. When a team is better, you have to accept it. They had the energy we didn’t have, so congratulations to them.

— Pep Guardiola

Guardiola acknowledged United’s strong finish and the goal mistakes his side made. "They had chances at the end and, of course, the goals we conceded were bad. We didn’t control the game, but overall we can talk about this or that moment. We have the obligation to analyze the match as a whole, and they were better."

The City boss pointed to United's fast start. "They started very strong, we lost one or two balls. The crowd is normal, because it’s a derby. For many years, they have supported their team, and with the new manager, things like that in the game are totally normal."

He also admitted his side lacked threat. "We didn’t create any danger, no crosses, no movement to try to win. That’s part of the energy – you win or lose, but it’s also about what you do with the ball, not just without it."

You can say that, you can say it was a red card and that the game would have been different. Many, many situations happen. It’s easy for me to come here and say there should have been a red card. But it’s not about that. We won’t grow if that’s the argument for winning or losing. To win, you have to be better, and we weren’t today.

— Pep Guardiola

The defeat leaves Manchester City six points behind leaders Arsenal in the Premier League title race, with Arsenal having a game in hand.