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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Stuart Brennan

Pep Guardiola says Manchester United derby not as important as Man City Champions League game vs Club Brugge

Pep Guardiola has ruled out prioritising the Manchester derby over tomorrow night's Champions League clash with Club Brugge.

With the Manchester United clash less than 72 hours after that group game, the Blues boss would normally have to strongly consider squad rotation, especially as tomorrow's opposition were crushed 5-1 in Belgium last month.

But Guardiola dismissed the idea that he will weaken his team in order to focus on the trip to Old Trafford.

The City manager said: "It's much more important this game than United game. It gives us the chance to take an incredible step forward to qualify for the last 16.

"In the Premier League there are many games, here just six, now three left. Not much, and they are decisive, the third and fourth games. The most important games and we need to take it seriously."

City have a chance to further damage United's Premier League title hopes with a win at Old Trafford, and also end a run of four games without a win in a league derby.

The Blues also need to bounce back after losing at home to Crystal Palace last weekend, but Guardiola says he is not worried about his side's patchy results this season.

"You win or lose but I'm only concerned with the way we play," he said. "The defeat was tough, you know the calendar how demanding it is.

"What we have done the last month, we want to finish this run well after the United game before international break. Except the last 10 to 15 minutes after the disallowed goal, we felt it 10 vs 11.

"But we know what we will face this season, continue and be positive. Tomorrow in this important competition, it's the most important game we have."

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