Though his side have a 13-point lead at the top of the Premier League with six matches left, but the City boss insists the race is not over
Pep Guardiola has warned Manchester City that Manchester United are more than capable of snatching the Premier League title from their grasp in the closing weeks of the season.
City had the chance to claim the domestic crown against their city rivals in last Saturday’s derby at the Etihad Stadium, only to surrender a 2-0 half-time lead to lose 3-2.
Despite that setback, just two more wins from their remaining six games will see Guardiola get his hands on the trophy for the first time, regardless of United’s final
However, speaking ahead of Saturday’s tough trip to Tottenham, the former Barcelona boss pointed to a famous late collapse from Real Madrid in the 2003-04 season – in which they let slip an eight-point advantage and dropped from first to fourth in the final 12 matches – as proof nothing can be taken for granted.
“My feeling now is United are going to win a lot of points because they are in good shape and have top players,” said the City boss, whose side exited the Champions League to Liverpool this week after a 5-1 aggregate defeat. “They can win all six, so we have to do it.
“Football is emotions. Since November, December, we were already champions. When I see the pundits, it’s already done, it’s impossible. In one week, we lost three games. That happens.
“We have to win our games and we are able to win two games. We handled pressure all season. If, at the end, we are not able and United win the league, all we can say is congratulations United, reflect on what we have done bad in the last month and move forward.
“Of course it can happen. I assure you. Real Madrid, years ago, lost six in a row and didn’t win the league. Of course it can happen. They [the players] know that. It’s not necessary to say that. But it’s in our hands.”
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