Pep Guardiola is adamant Manchester United and Chelsea will improve after their underwhelming start to the new Premier League campaign.
Erik ten Hag is under more pressure after the Red Devils fell to a 3-1 defeat at home to Brighton on Saturday, while Chelsea’s struggles in attack continued on Sunday as they drew 0-0 at Bournemouth.
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United have now suffered three defeats in their first five Premier League matches, while Chelsea have registered just one win in their opening five games and have recorded five points in the Premier League under Mauricio Pochettino.
But while Guardiola has praised how Arsenal and Liverpool have started the new campaign, the Man City manager believes both United and Chelsea will hit form ‘sooner or later’.
‘We will have downs in the season, so it will not be all the season,’ Guardiola said ahead of City’s first Champions League group-stage game against Red Star Belgrade on Tuesday evening.
‘But to start in that way, and important teams are taking distances now.
‘But, you know, how strong are Arsenal, yesterday I saw the game at Goodison Park [against Everton], they are exceptional.
‘Liverpool, again, their mentality continues there.’
When asked about United’s start, Guardiola laughed and said: ‘Well they didn’t start like I think they expected, like Chelsea, but always Man United, Chelsea, sooner or later they take the rhythm.
‘But it is important for us, after winning the treble, [winning] five from five is really, really good.’
