Pep Guardiola takes aim at former Man United stars for punditry hatchet job

Pep Guardiola has given former Manchester United stars Patrice Evra and Dimitar Berbatov a tongue-lashing for their criticism of his Manchester City side after their Champions League exit.

Guardiola became incensed when the comments from the two players after City’s defeat over two legs against Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the competition were mentioned.

Enjoying an aggregate lead, and a 1-goal cushion on the night City conceded twice in the final minutes and eventually lost 6-5 on aggregate after the tie went to extra-time.

Pep Guardiola fires back

Speaking on the television broadcast of the match, Evra claimed Guardiola’s side lacked personality and leaders.

Berbatov meanwhile, questioned their concentration and focus.

City responded to their Champions League exit in devastating fashion. Guardiola’s side have scored 10 goals in two games to move to the brink of a fourth Premier League title in five seasons.

Guardiola, was scathing in his response to the doubters having also been stung by recent criticism from Clarence Seedorf.

The City boss referred to his Barcelona team, which outclassed United in the one-sided 2009 and 2011 Champions League finals as ammunition in his war of words.

Both Evra and Berbatov featured for United in 2009, while Evra was in the side that lost again two years later.

They weren’t there

At the heart of Guardiola’s response was the belief that both players were speaking out of a place of ignorance as they do not know what life is like in the Manchester City camp.

“Special former players like Berbatov, Seedorf and Evra, and these types of people, weren’t there,” Guardiola said on Friday. 

“I’ve played against them, and I didn’t see this kind of personality when we destroyed United in the Champions League final.

“You cannot have personality because you concede two goals in one minute after you have had chances to score?

“Sometimes, football is like this and it just happens. We cannot control many things but when you always arrive in the last stages for four or five years, this is incredible.

“We have incredible personality. I’m sorry but I completely disagree. Personality is what we have done in the last five years, every three days, in all competitions.”

Pep Guardiola on brink of history

City need four points from their last two games, at West Ham on Sunday and at home to Aston Villa on May 22, to be certain of pipping Liverpool to the Premier League trophy.

Guardiola said his side has no margin for error as Liverpool will likely win their final two matches.

“Everybody knows with winning at West Ham and it will be almost done, with the goal difference and many things,” he said. “It’s absolutely a final.”

Guardiola hopes injured trio Aymeric Laporte, Fernandinho and Nathan Ake can feature against West Ham.

“They are in treatment for these two days and we will see,” said Guardiola.