Pep Guardiola furious at Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's suggestion that Manchester City will tactically foul United's players

The most critical Manchester derby in years will be played amid a festering managerial row, with Pep Guardiola accusing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer of piling undue pressure on the referee with claims of City’s tactical fouling.

Solskjaer said City will use ‘aggressive’ means ‘snapping at heels and ankles’ to halt Manchester United counter-attacks in the Old Trafford meeting – repeating an assertion made by predecessor Jose Mourinho against the champions last season.

Guardiola, who had earlier expressed his sympathy for Solskjaer’s tough rebuilding job at United, was visibly shocked and irritated by the allegation.

“Did he say that?” said the City boss.

“So we are going to make fouls to them? I don’t like it. No. My team is not built for that, not at all.

“I never prepare a game in 10 seasons as a manager thinking about these kind of things. Never. 

“The players can talk about it better than me about that - the players I had at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and here. Never have I said (to) one player to make fouls to avoid something (counter-attacks). 

“In football sometimes you do that because in football the action is quick, fast. 

“But I’m concerned about many, many other things about the game to have to play to beat them than these kinds of things. 

“Maybe tomorrow (Wednesday) in the press conference after the game you can ask him again about that.”

Asked directly if he felt such comments could influence Wednesday's referee, Andre Marriner, Guardiola responded: “That’s the reason why, of course.”

The Spanish coach’s bemusement was fuelled by his supporting statistics. He pointed to City average ball possession of between 65 per cent and 70 per cent, meaning they have committed fewer fouls per game than any Premier League team this season.

City have received 38 yellow cards this season compared to United’s 64, one red card to United’s four, and overall have committed 170 fouls compared to United’s 195. 

“I know exactly what I said to my players from day one to the last day,” said Guardiola.

“So when a player wants to attack, we have to be honest. Of course there is contact, there are fouls, but when it happens and you arrive late, that is why there are referees - to make yellow cards or red cards or whatever. They decide.”

Earlier, Solskjaer warned his players about fouls high up the pitch. “You don’t get the yellow cards, do you?” said the United coach.

“But that’s just because they commit so many players forward and you can clearly see that they’ve got them in that mould of trying to win the ball back, and they do make fouls. It’s up to us to play through that press, be ready enough, play one and two-touch, don’t give them time. 

“When we win it we have got to be ready for their aggression, because they will snap at your ankles and heels and kick you, they are not going to allow us easy counter attacking because there will be fouls, I have absolutely no doubt about it because when you watch those games they commit so many players forward and they will be stopping us as high as they can I think.”

Rarely have the stakes been higher going into a Manchester derby. City need a victory to keep the title destiny in their own hands, while United face a year outside the Champions League unless they can reverse their horrific recent run.

Guardiola says the nature of United’s defeat to Everton last Sunday will give the home side more motivation.

“United players have lost the last game 4-0. I know what would be our reaction,” said Guardiola. 

"I saw the game, I imagine what will happen against us. That’s what is going to happen. We have to accept it. That’s the challenge.

“I know how strong they’ll be in terms of intensity and we’ll have to handle it. We did it in the past, I don’t know about tomorrow but we’ll do it again. I like my team and I trust them a lot. We have to do it.

“I expect the best United. They are bright. Football players try to do their best and tomorrow is going to happen. We prepare for their strong points and weak points.

“It is a derby and all the times we play against United, the derbies are always special games and the players do their best for the fans the club. 

“I don’t make theories about what happened in the past for what is going to happen in the future. Every game is completely different. The reason why is the fact this club in the last decade grew a lot and it is not scary to go there. Before it was maybe more difficult. The players Manchester City had in the last decade made this game a little bit more equal.”

City are without Kevin De Bruyne, but Guardiola says Phil Foden is ready to step in if required.

Amid the rancour, Guardiola expressed understanding for Solskjaer’s challenge trying to revive United.

“Our world, our position, I am close to Solskjaer, I understand perfectly his position,” said Guardiola.

“We feel alone and that is why I understand completely his position. It happens to all the managers around the world. That is the reality. I understand him perfectly. I support him.”

Asked if he thought Solskjaer deserved much longer to rebuild, Guardiola added: “Everybody needs time. At the same time, you don’t get time.”