Paul Merson claims Man City should be praised like Sir Alex Ferguson's Man United teams were

Paul Merson has claimed that Manchester City and manager Pep Guardiola are undervalued.

The Blues are on the verge of winning their fourth Premier League crown in five years but will likely need to beat Aston Villa on the final day to hold off the challenge of Liverpool. Former Arsenal midfielder Merson believes Guardiola's City should receive similar plaudits to Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United teams.

He wrote in his Daily Star column: " Pep Guardiola is still the manager of the year if Manchester City win the title - and it's harder now than when Manchester United were doing it. The Premier League is the ultimate. It's 38 games in the hardest competition in the world. If you win it, you are the best.

"Jurgen Klopp has done an absolutely phenomenal job at Liverpool this season but if he doesn't win the league he isn't manager of the year for me. Don't forget Liverpool were put in a Champions League group they could have walked through, and they've won both domestic cups on penalties. They didn't win the games.

"And look, if City get over the line that would be four titles in five years. I don't think they get the credit United got when they were doing it under Sir Alex Ferguson. This is a stronger league than it was when United were the dominant force. In my opinion. It was only them and Arsenal for years and years who could win it.

"It's different now. Chelsea can beat anyone on their day. They're just not consistent enough. United have been disappointing. But Tottenham have got results against both the title contenders.

"City could have lost to West Ham the other day. This is a very competitive league. So what City have done over the last five years is phenomenal. It really is. Guardiola deserves more credit