Guardiola grateful for praise from United's new co-owner, aims to extend City's dominance

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed his gratitude for the praise he received from Manchester United's new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Ratcliffe, who recently acquired a 27.7% stake in United, has spoken about his desire to challenge City's dominance in football. Guardiola described Ratcliffe's comments as a complete honor and acknowledged the impact that compliments from influential personalities can have on players and rivals. City has been the dominant force in English football in recent years, winning five Premier League titles and matching United's Treble-winning season. Guardiola emphasized the rarity of one team consistently dominating a league for decades and expressed his commitment to extending City's success for as long as possible. United manager Erik ten Hag acknowledged the importance of learning from successful opponents but also emphasized the unique identity and DNA of his own club. Pundits have predicted a challenging match for United, with City's impressive form and goal-scoring ability. However, the pride and determination of the Manchester derby could potentially influence the outcome. City has a strong record against United in recent meetings, winning five of their last six encounters. The match will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 5 Live, with commentary starting at 12:00 GMT. City will be without winger Jack Grealish due to injury, while United's Bruno Fernandes and Raphael Varane are expected to be available despite fitness concerns. City aims to continue their unbeaten home record and extend their scoring streak at the Etihad, while United seeks to challenge their rivals and secure a positive result.