Manchester derby: Man United 'always a tough opponent', says Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola said Manchester City will not be taking Manchester United lightly on Sunday, despite their rivals' struggling start to the season.

United enter the Manchester derby on a three-match winning run in all competitions – having lost six of their first 10 games – but none of the victories over Brentford, Sheffield United and Copenhagen were particularly convincing.

Scoring goals has been a particular problem, with new striker Rasmus Hojlund yet to find the net in the Premier League and Marcus Rashford looking a shadow of the player who scored 30 times last season.

However, City manager Guardiola is still wary of the individual quality United possess.

"United always have been, it doesn't matter the manager, always they are a tough opponent," he said at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

"The qualities of the individuals they have, the stadium, the character they have, the momentum. They can score goals, we know the quality they have. Always that has been and always it will be."

City returned to winning ways by beating Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 last weekend after losing consecutive Premier League games for the first time since 2018.

Guardiola's men are looking to become the first side to win four consecutive English top-flight titles and remain well-placed, just two points behind surprise early leaders Tottenham.

The last time the two teams met, in June, City beat United to lift the FA Cup, completing the second leg of a treble.

Guardiola acknowledged there is far less on the line this weekend, but is keen to see how his side respond to the challenge posed by travelling to Old Trafford.

"It is a game not like an FA Cup final or last games of the season that defines winning or not the Premier League. Still