Pep Guardiola says trying to win the Premier League gets harder each season.

The City boss is hoping to lead his side to a record fourth successive title this season and a sixth crown under his tenure.

But the Catalan boss believes it has never been harder to become champions of England.

“Every season is tougher,” said Guardiola.

“Compared to when I arrived, there are better managers and better teams.

“The important thing is we are close, and we are there.

“There are still 28 games to play, and a lot of things are going to happen.

“But we aim to keep getting better.” 

The City boss also said last weekend’s Manchester derby win was far from easy, as suggested by a journalist at Friday’s press conference.

The Blues beat the Reds 3-0 at Old Trafford, exercising a degree of control – particularly in the second half – but Pep says winning away to Manchester United is never easy.

“It was not easy,” he said.

“It helped to score the second early in the second half, but it’s never easy.

“We have a lot of respect for United.

“Nobody is away from this situation. We won because we played a good game, that’s all.”

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Minute-by-minute text updates will begin in our Matchday Centre two hours before kick-off, while our Matchday Live show will begin at 14:00 (UK).

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