Pep Guardiola Predicts Manchester United Title Challenge Following Harry Maguire Signing

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expects Manchester United to contend for the Premier League title after completing a world-record deal for Harry Maguire.

United had a season to forget in 2018/19, finishing in sixth place, 32 points adrift of their city rivals. However, Guardiola has predicted that United will improve this year with the addition of Maguire, a player that he claimed City could not afford to buy.

“United could afford it. He had an incredible World Cup. He’s strong in the air, good with the ball and builds it up, he’s so fast”, said Guardiola, heaping the praise on the 26-year-old centre back, as quoted by BBC Sport following the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday.

Manchester City and Liverpool were involved in an epic battle to become Premier League champions last season, with City eventually pipping Jurgen Klopp’s side to the post. Liverpool finished 25 points clear of third-placed Chelsea, but Guardiola does not expect a repeat of last season’s two-horse title race.

He added: “There will be many contenders. Manchester United – with Maguire and the other players they brought will be very good. And Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham too”.