Pep Guardiola, the tactical maestro of Manchester City, has faced off against a series of Manchester United managers in the fierce Manchester derby. While he’s generally had the upper hand, some battles have been tougher than others. Let’s dive into how Guardiola has fared against each of his rivals, from Mourinho’s mind games to Ten Hag’s tactical tweaks.
- Guardiola’s Derby Dominance: 13 wins out of 23 derbies.
- The Mourinho Era: A mixed bag with wins and losses.
- Solskjær’s Surprise: The only United manager to not have a losing record against Pep
- Ten Hag’s Challenge: A tough rivalry with some stunning upsets.
The Guardiola Derby Domination
Under Pep Guardiola’s reign, Manchester City has largely dominated the Manchester derby. They’ve secured 13 wins, suffered 8 defeats, and drawn twice in 23 clashes, scoring 47 goals and conceding 32. This highlights a significant power shift in the derby, historically dominated by United, although United still lead in all-time head-to-head stats with 78 wins to City’s 61.
Clash of the Titans: Guardiola vs. Mourinho
Early Encounters
The first Manchester derby with Guardiola and Mourinho at the helm took place in September 2016, with City emerging victorious 2-1. However, Mourinho quickly sought revenge, leading United to a 1-0 win in the League Cup fourth round.
A Mixed Bag of Results
Mourinho’s tenure saw a mix of wins and losses against City, with a memorable 3-2 comeback victory at the Etihad in April 2018. Yet, the gulf between the two sides became increasingly clear, culminating in a convincing 3-1 defeat for United and eventually leading to Mourinho’s dismissal after a 3-1 loss to Liverpool.
The Solskjær Surprise
Ole Gunnar Solskjær is the only United manager against whom Guardiola did not achieve a winning record. The Norwegian won 4, drew 1 and lost 4, making him the only one to hold Pep to a level head-to-head record.
League Upsets
Solskjær’s early form against Guardiola was impressive, with two wins at the Etihad in December 2019 and March 2021. However, Guardiola secured a win in his final league game against the Norwegian.
Cup Success for City
In cup competitions, Guardiola had the upper hand, leading City to a 3-2 aggregate win in the 2020 League Cup semi-final. In the 2021 Covid-affected one-legged semi-final, they won 2-0 at Old Trafford, demonstrating City’s dominance.
Rangnick’s Brief Encounter
Ralph Rangnick’s sole derby match was a tough one, with Manchester City winning 4-1. The game highlighted United’s struggles during that period, placing them sixth in the league while City was on top.
Ten Hag’s Tactical Challenge
A Rollercoaster Rivalry
Erik ten Hag’s derby record is a mix of highs and lows. Despite a crushing 6-3 defeat early on, he managed to secure a 2-1 comeback victory in January 2023, reigniting hopes at Old Trafford.
Cup Final Encounters
In the 2023 FA Cup final, City edged out United 2-1. However, Ten Hag got his revenge in the 2024 FA Cup final, winning 2-1, though this victory was short-lived.
The Final Showdown
Despite Ten Hag’s victory in the FA Cup Final and his loss in the Community Shield, the Dutchman was out of a job before the end of November.
Conclusion
Guardiola’s Manchester derby record is one of significant success, but certain managers, such as Solskjær and Ten Hag, have provided him with real tactical challenges. As Ruben Amorim steps into the fray, it remains to be seen if he can make a lasting mark on this intense rivalry.
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