Pep Guardiola aims cheeky dig at Manchester United as he welcomes new Man City test

Pep Guardiola congratulated Manchester United on their Carabao Cup success ... before teasing them about their six years without a trophy.

United beat Newcastle 2-0 to win the first piece of silverware under Erik ten Hag, and Old Trafford is buzzing as the club chase more success this season. They are serious contenders in the Europa League after knocking Barcelona out, face West Ham in the FA Cup last-16, and have not been ruled out of the Premier League title race.

Manchester City boss Guardiola has admired Ten Hag for years, having worked at close quarters with him at Bayern for a season and tipped him as a future City manager. But he has also long lamented City's reputation as extravagant spenders when their rivals have also invested heavily; over the past five seasons, when the Blues have won the league four times, United's total spend is nearly £40m higher and their net spend is close to £400m higher.

Also read: Guardiola expecting more Man City twists in Premier League title race

Picking up on this theme, the City manager joked that Ten Hag can continue their resurgence "if they spend a little more money" as he expressed his surprise that they have not challenged more seriously before. And Guardiola congratulated his counterpart for lifting United to their 'normal' position as he welcomed an overdue challenge for supremacy in the city.

"Sooner or later it should happen, shouldn’t it?" he smiled. "It should happen. Welcome.

“Congratulations to United for the Carabao Cup and to Newcastle as well - the game was entertaining.

“If they spend a little more money, yes [they can challenge more regularly]. "It’s because they didn’t spend, isn’t it?

“It’s normal, they’re in the position they normally should be. The