Man City boss Pep Guardiola insists he would retire rather than ever take the Man Utd job

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola would “never” take the manager’s job at Manchester United or Real Madrid.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola insists he would never be tempted to switch the Etihad dugout for Old Trafford – even if the Manchester United post was the only job offer on the table. The City manager cranked up the temperature ahead of Tuesday night’s cross-town Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Old Trafford when insisting he would rather retire from the game than make the switch.

"I will never train them,” Guardiola said. “Like I would not train [Real] Madrid. I will be in the Maldives if I don’t have other offers or on the golf courses.”

Former Barcelona boss Guardiola ramped up tension still further dismissing suggestions fixtures against Liverpool are bigger games for his City side these days.

While Liverpool may be a closer rival for him derbies remain the ones his team must win.

"I know for the years I was not here we were the noisy neighbours," he said. "Now I don’t know who we are. But I know what the derby means to Man City fans."

Man City boss Pep Guardiola insists he would never take charge of Man Utd (Image: GETTY)

Guardiola inherited the team Sir Alex Ferguson dubbed so famously when they were taken over by their current owners in 2016. Since then he has taken them to heady heights while United’s fortunes have dipped.

Yet the derby remains one fixture that the Spaniard has failed to control with four wins but two defeats in eight matches in all competitions since he arrived.

"I didn’t come here to just beat United, that was not the target, it was to play good and to try to win the title," Guardiola said.

"But I have incredible respect for this club and sooner or later they will be back and fighting for the Premier League title. In these periods they struggle – there is not a team that wins, wins, wins.

"It happened with Sir Alex Ferguson and they’ll be back I’m sure.”

Man City boss Pep Guardiola will never patrol the Old Trafford touchline as Man Utd manager (Image: GETTY)

Guardiola, whose side are chasing a third straight Carabao Cup trophy, will have analysed the 2-1 defeat in the Premier League in early December when United’s counter-attacking pace stung his side repeatedly.

It is unlikely he will fall for the same trick twice with him likely to load his back line with pace to negate the blistering speed of Daniel James and Marcus Rashford.

"We learned how fast they are. How they run on the counter attack. How solid and how aggressive they are,” said Guardiola.

"We conceded a few counter attacks in the beginning and in just two or three seconds they are in the box so they have incredible pace and talent to do that.

"In general the game was good. We create chances and unfortunately we could not win.”

Man City boss Pep Guardiola will face Man Utd in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night (Image: GETTY)

City have not lost a Carabao Cup match in over three years yet it was United who were the last team to down them in a fourth-round match in October 2016 when a Juan Mata strike separated the sides.

"They played with a strong side, we rotated the team because always we have done it that way. But through the years, I think the (City) squad is bigger, bigger quality,” Guardiola said.

With United missing Paul Pogba and crucially Scott McTominay in midfield, the hosts strength in depth will be tested.

Harry Maguire is battling a knock but will be given until late to prove his fitness with Phil Jones on standby.

City have no injury worries with only Leroy Sane currently still sidelined and Aymeric Laporte having made a tentative return to first team training following his long lay off.