by Pep Guardiola could be briefly praised by new Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe as he prepares for Sunday’s Etihad derby, although the City manager has high hopes for the future and the prospect of an emulation on Barcelona, in one specific area. .
Ratcliffe, 71, claimed in his first interview after taking over football at United that the club he supported as a child had not produced the greatest performance he had ever seen and bought a 27.7 per cent stake, but at Guardiola and City . and Read Madrid aside in the Champions League last season.
It was a startling admission from a lifelong United supporter, witness to so many great moments in his team’s history, and one that raised a smile from the City manager.
“It is [a compliment] – and I can say: ‘Thank you very much,’” said Guardiola.
“Sometimes it’s much more than a title when it’s the praise of the people who make this country. Sir Jim Ratcliffe made those comments and we are all honored.
“At the end, football can create emotions and feelings for the players and when our rivals accept this it really helps us to do our job. So thank you very much. I say that for all of us.
“But I’m sure tomorrow they will try to inoculate the United players with the best performance they can to try and beat us.”
But in allowing his sights to focus beyond Sunday’s derby, Guardiola allowed himself to reflect on one area where City are fast catching up to United and, perhaps, even his old team Barcelona.
United’s youth production line-up is arguably the most consistent and productive in football history. When Erik ten Hag names an academy graduate in his matchday squad on Sunday, as he inevitably will, he will continue a United record that dates back to 1937.
In recent seasons, for all the cash injections and big name signings, City have caught up with their rivals in youth development, with Norway international Oscar Bobb, who joined Phil Foden and Rico Lewis in Guardiola’s first team this season , signing. new five-year deal just this week.
It raises the prospect of City one day matching the great Guardiola-era Barcelona side that won two Champions Leagues, at the same time against United, with a majority of homegrown talent such as Xavi, Andres Iniesta and of course Lionel Messi.
“We would love it,” Guardiola said. “I remember in Barcelona we played two Champions League finals against United and seven of them from the academy.
“What does it mean? Zero! We didn’t make any profit because they were so good and we didn’t sell them. But that’s the dream. Players who love the club, born here.
“Sometimes it’s not possible because foreign players are so good. Erling Haaland is from Norway. We would love to have Erling from the academy but you have to invest.
“We’ve sold a lot of young players over the last year which makes us sustainable but maybe they could play here, we’ll never know. In that moment they want to start playing and every situation is different.”
City’s success in player development has not only produced the current members of the squad but has helped balance the books with each successive summer. The £42.5 million sale of Cole Palmer to Chelsea is the most recent example but Southampton have signed six players from City’s academy in less than two years.
And with the current strict interpretation of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules, Guardiola admits there is more emphasis than ever on the academy conveyor belts, to improve first team squads and, also, generate income.
The City manager does not see such a tangible advantage in a successful academy, however.
“It’s more sustainable for the clubs and we’ve always had that feeling, I don’t know why, that there’s something special about academy players who’ve grown up here that always works – don’t ask me why – works. always,” he said.
“There are players here but look at what the Southampton players have done, and Cole at Chelsea, and Tosin at Fulham, for example.
“So, they are always stable. The academy works very well, and the allied processes, every day for many years have worked very well. And this is every time, it is a little drop of something in your body that you understand the game, that you understand many things, the culture, whatever.
“When you run with young players it always works, don’t ask me why, but it always works. It happened here, happened at the academy in Barcelona, and Madrid, even Bayern Munich.
“The clubs I’ve been at, the young players always have something and now with this situation, on balance, you’re right – it’s a way to be sustainable and it works.”
Erik ten Hag would no doubt agree with those sentiments, especially given the impressive development of his 18-year-old midfielder Kobbie Mainoo this season. And Guardiola admits that local players in the dressing room can add a little something to a derby day.
“I think they know the reality. They have been to the Etihad Stadium many times,” he said. “They see the environment, they smell what’s happening in the club, and they adapt faster.
“Players come from abroad, or from other clubs, and they need a bit of time to adapt. Here, it’s like it’s home. They know the reaction of the fans, they feel comfortable, the way they have to play and it clicks quickly.
“It turns out, you’re right, and I’m pretty sure the United players, or the Liverpool players, or the Chelsea players have something. I think they believe: ‘It’s mine, it’s mine, it’s mine.’
“So you want to protect. Going from the academy to the first team gives them confidence. It’s easy.”
