United co-owner Ratcliffe spoke to the BBC when news of his minority stake was confirmed and said he wanted to knock City ‘off their perch’.
But he also said City’s performance in the second leg of our Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid, on our way to the 2022/23 triumph, was ‘the best football I’ve ever seen’, calling the first half display ‘the best quality football I’ve ever seen’ as he hopes for United to hit those heights in the future.
Guardiola was happy to hear the words of praise but was very aware that they will count for nothing on Sunday in the 192nd derby when United will try to earn bragging rights in the 15:30 (UK) kick-off.
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“It is,” said the boss when asked whether Ratcliffe’s comments were a compliment.
“I just can say thank you so much. Sometimes it’s more than a title for the compliments of people like Sir Jim.
“It is a complete honour for all of us. It can produce emotions and feelings when our rivals accept. That helps to do our job.
“Thank you so much on behalf of all of us.
“But I’m sure on Sunday they will try to inoculate the Man Utd players [to produce] the best performance to try to beat us. That’s for sure.”
Watch the manager’s press conference in the video player above.
