“I have a few ideas…” – Pep Guardiola sends major Manchester Derby selection warning amid recent backlash

Pep Guardiola has threatened “ridiculous” ideas for Manchester City’s trip to local rivals Manchester United on Saturday afternoon.

Manchester City face Southampton in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday, however the Sky Blues already have one eye on Saturday’s key Premier League clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

City will have the opportunity to close the gap on league leaders Arsenal to just two points with a win at the weekend, while United could move within one point of City should they win on Saturday.

Erik ten Hag’s team have already secured a place in the League Cup semi-finals and have won their last eight matches in all competitions.

City meanwhile have beaten Chelsea back-to-back, but did drop points at home to Everton on New Year’s Eve.

The Premier League champions thrashed United at the Etihad Stadium in October, winning 6-3 courtesy of hat-tricks from boyhood blues Erling Haaland and Phil Foden.

Foden has recently been involved in debates surrounding manager Pep Guardiola’s recent team selection, with the England international having started just once in the league since returning from the FIFA World Cup.

Guardiola’s tactics have also come under recent scrutiny after a poor first half performance against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last Thursday.

Amid the recent discussions, Guardiola revealed that he had already had some ideas for Saturday’s Manchester Derby, including “ridiculous” ones for the visit to Old Trafford.

“I have a few ideas, thoughts – ridiculous ones – against United but I still didn’t watch the last games. I have to see the way they play at home and if they change something. I still have to review it. That is why I don’t have a clear line-up against United.”

“I would say the game against Chelsea I made a lot of changes for one reason, how tired I saw some players after the game, for the trip we arrived too late and I saw the players tired in training and these ones that didn’t play against Chelsea.

“I would like to arrive against United with the average of minutes in the legs quite similar.”

City’s Premier League title defence is expected be heavily tested over the course of the next week, with Tottenham visiting the Etihad Stadium in the league just days after the Manchester Derby.