Manchester United are our only focus, insists Pep Guardiola as City close in on record winning streak

Pep Guardiola insists beating Manchester United on Sunday is his only focus despite his Manchester City side closing in on the Premier League title as well as a record winning streak in Europe’s major leagues.

City beat Wolves 4-1 on Tuesday night with Riyad Mahrez and Gabriel Jesus the latest members of Guardiola’s deep squad to star. The result left them 15 points clear of second-place United at the top of the table, and closed out a 21st successive victory in all competitions, now only two behind Bayern Munich’s record set last year. But the manager was adamant his team will not be thinking beyond the weekend’s derby.

“Manchester United is the only care (now),” Guardiola said on BT Sport. “We are going to talk about the records and everything we have done in the league when it will be over, so (now it is all on) Manchester United.

“The champions are Liverpool. The crown belongs to them. We are in the best position right now to take them out, and we are going to try. We want to win it and then defend it for the whole of next season. Now it is about rest for everyone, especially mentally, because we do not have much time and next it is Man United at home.”

Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo felt his team did not push on after hauling themselves back on level terms with an equaliser by captain Conor Coady – his first Premier League goal scored with his first ever shot on target in the top flight.

“We felt that we were on the front foot in the second half, but after we draw the reaction was not to sustain,” Nuno told the BBC. “The plan didn’t work for so long, but we faced a very good opponent and had good lines of possession. Your task is harder when City have the advantage. The boys did well, there is no perfect plan ever in the game, but we were facing a team with a very good plan also.

“City are very talented, amazing players, amazing manager. All the other teams that come here find it difficult because they are a good opponent.”

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