Blades boss, Chris Wilder, has spoken of what he believes is the standard which leads Pep Guardiola and Man City to success.
The reigning Premier League champions are all but out of the title race this season. However, they are still competing in the League Cup, FA Cup, and Champions League.
Both Wilder and Guardiola seem to have a huge amount of respect for each other. Indeed, Guardiola had only previously praised Wilder in his own press conference yesterday.
And in typical fashion, the Blades boss spoke highly of his Man City counterpart, highlighting Pep’s winning mentality as key to his team’s success.
“I think you saw when you played us. It wasn’t just we’ve beaten Sheffield United, it was we’ve won a game of football. I imagine the demands the manager puts on his players is huge“, Wilder said. (SUFC.com).
“They want to win. All the time. You see his attitude in the EFL Cup. You don’t get his career and results as a player and manager without being driven from day-to-day. One of the big vibes you get out of City is that he is at it every single day, and I think you can see that”.
Guardiola got one over Wilder last time out at the Etihad. However, it could have been a different game had Lys Mousset not been narrowly ruled offside when he slotted in on the run.
Mutual respect
Wilder and Guardiola are two managers right at the top of their respective games at the moment.
Obviously, Guardiola is operating at a different level of expectancy. But you can see the similarities in how the pair work and you can also see Wilder’s willingness to learn from people like Pep.
Tonight’s clash should be a hard-fought and tough affair. City have the quality, of course, but United could well spring a surprise as they look to make it back-to-back home wins.