Win the league against United? Don´t be ridiculous, says Guardiola

And Gerrard believes that his decision to not fill his substitutions bench will have gone down very badly with the youngsters at Manchester City.

“If I was top of the league, you would immediately say I am saying it because I am top of the league and I am very happy”, the United boss said.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola urged officials to better protect his star players after a 3-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday.

“They [the medical team] are still working on it”.

Sean Dyche’s side are strong at home and have a solid defensive record this season.

Johann Berg Gudmundsson celebrates the leveller.

“It doesn’t matter, the most important thing to try to fight until the end to be champion”. Although Manchester City have been winning with relentless and ruthless efficiency nearly every time they take to the field, they aren’t particularly fast starters and the Burnley defence doesn’t breach easily. Admittedly, they created plenty of presentable opportunities after Danilo’s long-range opener, but were unusually sloppy at the vital moment.

“In 06-07 Man United won the title back”.

And for nobody more so than Sterling.

Sterling, who has scored 19 goals this season, was substituted soon after his miss, but Guardiola said the two events were not connected.

Prior to the equaliser, Sterling had passed up two fine chances to score, the second a baffling miss from barely a yard, which Pep Guardiola responded to by swiftly hooking the England global. “I try to improve on it every day”.

“In the second-half I decided to make a change and bring (Marouane) Fellaini with different qualities than him, to try to be stronger in midfield with Fellaini and (Nemanja) Matic because I wanted Alexis to play as a second striker with (Romelu) Lukaku”. If i miss a chance, don’t speak to me.

“I told him, don’t gamble too much”. However, judging by how quickly Man City hit their stride at the beginning of the campaign, securing another spot at the International Champions Cup can only be good news for the club. He’s certainly a doubt for Saturday, as is John Stones, and the Citizens are definitely missing Benjamin Mendy, Fabian Delph, Phil Foden, Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus. “I give credit. Last minute in extra time”.

But had they taken their chances earlier, it wouldn’t have mattered.

“They’re buying players fit for task, or virtually fit for task – that’s the demands of the Premier League”.