Guardiola leaves reporter red-faced with apology over Man Utd affinity

Pep Guardiola took a joking swipe at a Manchester United-supporting journalist during his post-match interview after Manchester City's 5-0 win over Newcastle.

The City boss stated how difficult it must be for reporters to cover their club's rivals, before implying that "everyone" in the country is rooting for Liverpool to win the Premier League. Guardiola's men moved to three points clear of the Reds after seeing Jurgen Klopp's side play an entertaining 1-1 draw to Tottenham Hotspur.

Speaking to journalists in his press-conference, the Spaniard suggested one of them was a Liverpool fan. But he was later corrected when the reporter said he was a supporter of both City and Liverpool's rivals.

After many laughs in the room, Guardiola who felt sympathy, said: "I'm sorry, James." United have endured a difficult season under interim boss Ralf Rangnick, having officially been ruled out of the Champions League race after a recent 4-0 defeat to Brighton Hove & Albion.

The United faithful will be hopeful that the imminent arrival of Erik ten Hag will bring a breath of fresh air as he is set to sweep up the dressing room. City on the other hand are on course to swoop the league title and avoid a season with any silverware after their recent exit from the Champions League.

If they win the remaining three matches, they will clinch to a fourth title in the last five years and Guardiola did not hold back: "Everyone in this country supports Liverpool, the media and everyone, of course, because Liverpool has an incredible history in European competition," he said.

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"But we are, for the last 10, 11, 12 years, coming there. I know we're sometimes uncomfortable, but I don't care. People want Liverpool to win more than us. It's not an issue. It's normal. Maybe they have more supporters all around the world and in England maybe more support Liverpool than us.

"Before the start of the game, the people were cheering and supporting us – they know that even being out of the Champions League, we can rely on those players. We need nine points or maybe six right now, it depends what happens in the next two games in terms of goal difference. But now, Wednesday at Wolves is the real, real final for us. We're going to try to win there. Our destiny is in our hands."

Guardiola's men will face Wolves on Wednesday night at Molineux as the side begin their battle for those nine points. But will have to do so without key defenders in Ruben Dias, John Stones and Kyle Walker after suffering a major blow.

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