Pep Guardiola takes a playful jab at Manchester United and sends a clear message about Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola is determined to rise to the challenge of getting Manchester City back on track after their heavy 4-1 defeat to Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League on Tuesday. Despite Phil Foden giving City an early lead, they suffered their third consecutive loss across different competitions. Ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Brighton and the international break, Guardiola highlighted positives from the Lisbon game and expressed his readiness to rally his team.

The City manager also made a playful remark about rivals Manchester United, as Sporting’s head coach Ruben Amorim is set to take over at Old Trafford. Guardiola commented on City’s performance, acknowledging areas of improvement, particularly in managing emotions after conceding goals early in the second half. He expressed his desire to lift his players and praised the team’s efforts, despite the scoreline.

Guardiola remained focused, saying that City will prepare for the Brighton match without giving up. He noted that, despite the challenges, the players understood they played well in key moments. He acknowledged it’s sometimes harder for City to score than for their opponents but reminded that setbacks are part of football.

When asked about Amorim’s upcoming move to Manchester United, Guardiola said he looks forward to facing him in league matches and maybe in the FA Cup. However, his main focus is on City’s journey to improve and bounce back. He appreciated Sporting’s fans and atmosphere, especially as they cheered on after the goals. Finally, Guardiola wished Amorim well but admitted that only time will tell how the new United manager will fare.