Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola believes that Manchester United are still in the race to win the Premier league title, alongside City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs and Arsenal. "To be honest [the title race] is Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester United," he said. "The league this year is unpredictable and it's going to be decided in the last two or three months.
Manchester City enjoyed a brief spell on top of the table on Saturday, after beating Burnley. However, subsequent wins from Liverpool and then Chelsea, who beat Tottenham at home, meant the Manchester club were back down to 3rd on goal difference. Guardiola however, is happy with the fact that City are still alongside the leaders, especially because they are playing in Europe, whereas Chelsea and Liverpool are not.
"We'll have played eight more games - terrible games - in the Champions League than Chelsea and Liverpool and we are there. That's why the first part of the season is so satisfying. Playing seven, eight more games in the Champions League, after going to Stoke and West Brom, and to still be with Liverpool and Chelsea, when they don't play in Europe, is good for us.”, the Spanish manager said.
The manager also took a sly dig at Chelsea, who after being knocked out of the League Cup, are taking part in only two domestic competitions. "This Chelsea side play one time a week. It is easier to prepare well, to recover well, to take full advantage of recovery. This week we played Wednesday and, after that, straight away on Saturday.
“Sometimes it is tough to be focused again, it is tough on us in these kind of games. You have to be mentally and physically prepared to compete."
The manager also admitted that it is often hard to play domestic games after a European trip. However, he assured the media present that he will not be complaining.
"I'm not a guy who complains so much, believe me," he said. "It's happened. What can I do? Call the federation? No. They are going to change? No. Okay, they put 12.30 so we have to be here and play at 12.30, and if you lose congratulations Burnley and keep going."
Manchester City now prepare to face Chelsea on the 3rd of December, keeping in mind that they'll have to make a trip to Scotland, as they face Celtic in the Champions League. He'll then see his side return to England and face champions Leicester City. It's definitely going to be a busy month for the former Bayern manager.
