Pep Guardiola has privately conceded that he would select just one player from Manchester United to join his Manchester City squad, according to reports.
Securing a tight 1-0 victory over Brentford on Tuesday night, City climbed back to second place in the Premier League standings.
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They currently trail leaders Liverpool by a single point, having played one game fewer.
Meanwhile, United find themselves in sixth place, trailing City by 12 points, underscoring the evident gap in quality between the two teams.
According to Football Insider, Guardiola has privately asserted that only Marcus Rashford from United possesses the caliber to make it into his City team.
Despite featuring in 30 matches across all competitions for Erik ten Hag’s team this season, the English forward has only managed to find the net five times.
Unable to replicate his career-best tally of 30 goals achieved in the 2022/23 season, the 26-year-old forward is hopeful that his performance merits a spot in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the upcoming European Championships in Germany.
Recently, rare praises from cross-town rival manager Guardiola have emerged.
Reportedly, Pep has long admired Rashford and believes he is the sole member of United’s squad capable of consistently performing at Manchester City.
The Red Devils forward inked a lucrative new contract at Old Trafford over the summer, reportedly earning around £375,000 per week.
Ten Hag’s squad is scheduled to face Fulham in the Premier League this weekend as they pursue a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Acknowledging the need for improvement to achieve their desired objective, the former Ajax boss has admitted there is work to be done.
“Yeah, we are back in the race,” admitted the Dutchman, after his team’s recent win at Kenilworth Road. “Still, we have to catch up. We are happy with scoring goals now.
“Also today we missed some great opportunities and I think the frontline can be more clinical. They have the abilities, but what is positive is the way we created the chances.
“Every game is a final and it’s a long road and it’s not be decided in February. So in this moment of the year, make sure that in April, you are in a position you can win. And so still we have to catch up, but we are back in the race.”
