Pep Guardiola says Manchester United and Chelsea will improve ‘sooner or later’ (Action Images via Reuters)
Pep Guardiola is adamant that Manchester United and Chelsea will improve after their poor start to the new Premier League season.
Erik ten Hag is under more pressure after United sunk to a 3-1 defeat at home to Brighton on Saturday, while Chelsea’s struggles in front of goal continued on Sunday as they drew 0-0 at Bournemouth.
United have now suffered three losses in their first five Premier League games, while Chelsea have registered just one win in their opening five fixtures and have recorded just five points in the Premier League under Mauricio Pochettino.
But while Guardiola has praised how Arsenal and Liverpool have started the new season, the City manager believes both United and Chelsea will hit form ‘sooner or later’.
‘We will have downs in the season, so it will not be all the season,’ Guardiola said ahead of City’s first Champions League group-stage game against Red Star Belgrade on Tuesday evening.
Erik ten Hag is under pressure as Manchester United have suffered three defeats in five Premier League games (PA)
But to start in that way, and important teams are taking distances now.
But, you know, how strong are Arsenal, yesterday I saw the game at Goodison Park [against Everton], they are exceptional.
‘Liverpool, again, their mentality continues there.’
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
More: Trending
When asked about United’s start, Guardiola laughed and replied: ‘Well they didn’t start like I think they expected, like Chelsea, but always Man United, Chelsea, sooner or later they take the rhythm.
‘But it is important for us, after winning the treble, [winning] five from five is really, really good.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.