‘We are still there’ - Pep Guardiola fires warning to Man City’s title rivals Arsenal, Liverpool & Tottenham

Pep Guardiola has said it is ‘so nice’ to see his side playing at such high levels, especially after Manchester City’s draining treble-winning campaign last season.

The Blues haven’t started the 2023/24 term at their very best, and Guardiola recently spoke of how physically and mentally exhausting his players found last season as City won the title and were involved in two successful cup runs.

But any sort of treble hangover wasn’t visible at Old Trafford on Sunday as City comfortably dispatched Manchester United 3-0, thanks to Erling Haaland’s brace and Phil Foden’s late tap-in. That was perhaps the champions’ best display of the campaign so far, and despite a relatively slow start, Guardiola’s side are just two points off leaders Tottenham Hotspur, level with Arsenal in table, and a point clear of fourth-place Liverpool.

“Football is always so difficult,” Guardiola said after Sunday’s derby win. “Maintaining consistency for many years is difficult. The biggest title we have is this one.

“Still now after the treble and five Premier League, we are still there. I see the preparation mentally, the way the players play, the solidarity. When that happens, that's the biggest title we have that still we are there. It's so nice to watch the team after what we have done to still be there.”

City’s win at Old Trafford means they’ve returned from October’s international break with three consecutive wins in all competitions, following three defeats in four before the two-week hiatus.

“The Brighton game was so important after a few defeats,” Guardiola reflected. “It's not the fact of a defeat, it's when it comes in your mind and you start to have doubts in your head and after it is more difficult.

“Brighton is a tough opponent to play and I know how difficult it is for every team to play against them, it's so complicated. It was important against Young Boys to understand the way we have to play, to be more precise on an artificial pitch and we did it perfectly. Today, here it is special for the scenario. Old Trafford is Old Trafford and to win here we are so proud.”