Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola revealed his side are aiming for a period of dominance across club football ahead of their Premier League clash with arch-rivals Manchester United on Sunday.
The Spaniard led the club to a treble last season, after triumphs in the Champions League, FA Cup and Premier League – replicating the feat for the first time since the Red Devils did so in the 1998/99 season.
City have won 13 major titles in total during the 53-year-old’s tenure in the North West, and this latest comment is the most recent indication that he may extend his contract with the club beyond its current 2025 expiry date.
Guardiola said: “(In the) 80s it was Liverpool, 90s it was United (who dominated).
“Now we have won seven Premier Leagues.
“We’ll try to extend (the run) for many years for what we’re trying to do.”
The club world cup holders currently sit second in the Premier League table, just one point behind Liverpool after 26 games.
The visit to the Etihad Stadium of sixth-placed United – who on Wednesday reached the FA Cup quarter-finals after defeating Nottingham Forest 1-0 at the City Ground – is therefore integral to their title defence continuing.
As such, Guardiola expressed his concern that Sunday’s match will prove a difficult challenge.
“I always expect the best,” Guardiola added.
“When they play good, they win games.
“From one action, they can create something special.
“In set pieces, transition and open play they can score goals.
“In 2024 they’ve lost just one game.
“The consistency is there, especially this year.”
Significant change has been underway at Old Trafford since INEOS chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s minority investment in the club.
When discussing Ratcliffe’s recent comments stating his belief United would knock City “off their perch” within the next three years, Guardiola remained typically coy.
He said: “Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his people know exactly the diagnosis of the club.
“I know nothing.
“If Sir Jim said they need two to three years, who am I to say the opposite?
“They will work to reduce the gap, but I’m not the right person to know this.”
The match will kick off at 15:30 GMT and is available to watch on Sky Sports.
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