Pep Guardiola clarifies 'Manchester United bigger than Manchester City' remarks

Pep Guardiola watches on during the Premier League game between Manchester City and Burnley on January 2, 2017
© SilverHub
Pep Guardiola insists that Manchester City have been on a par with rivals Manchester United over the past five years as he backtracks on recent comments made.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has backtracked on recent comments in which he claimed that Manchester United are '10 years ahead' of his side.

The Catalan angered supporters with his remarks, which came on the back of bizarre post-match interviews with Sky Sports News and BBC Sport following the Citizens' victory over Burnley.

Guardiola, who also suggested that he is already preparing to bring an end to his coaching career, has now moved to clarify exactly what he meant about the comparison to United and stressed that City are on track to close the gap.

"When I said to compare the titles with Liverpool, Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid, we are behind. If people don't understand that, I'm sorry," he told reporters.

"In the last five or six years Manchester City achieved more targets and got better and grew the most. It is one of the best clubs in the world by far.

"But in terms of just the titles, winning the Champions League, we are behind other clubs in the last 20 years. I never said this club is below the other ones. Of course we are going to fight until the end of the season for all the titles."

City have won four league titles in their history, compared to rivals Man United's tally of 20.

Pep Guardiola watches on during the Premier League game between Manchester City and Watford on December 14, 2016
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Chelsea20161342152749
2Liverpool20135248232544
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs20126239142542
4Manchester CityMan City20133441221942
5Arsenal20125344222241
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd20116331191239
7Everton208662823530
8West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom208572824429
9Bournemouth207492934-525
10Southampton206681925-624
11Stoke CityStoke206682432-824
12Burnley2072112231-923
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham2064102335-1222
14Watford2064102336-1322
15Leicester CityLeicester205692431-721
16Middlesbrough204791722-519
17Crystal Palace2044123037-716
18Sunderland2043131937-1815
19Swansea CitySwansea2043132345-2215
20Hull City2034131744-2713
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