Pep Guardiola has given a blunt response to questions about whether he will support Manchester United when they face Manchester City's Premier League title rivals Arsenal this weekend.
The Citizens are guaranteed to finish above the Red Devils in the top flight for the 11th successive season, with a whopping 28 points currently separating the former in second place from the latter down in eighth spot.
Man City have put together an impressive 20-game unbeaten run in the Premier League and are bidding to win an unprecedented fourth consecutive title at the expense of current leaders Arsenal.
Guardiola's side can move two points clear at the top of the table with victory over Fulham in Saturday lunchtime's clash at Craven Cottage, before Arsenal travel to Old Trafford on Sunday.
City will stay at the summit with a game in hand if the Gunners drop points against Erik ten Hag's deflated Man United outfit that was put to the sword 4-0 at Crystal Palace in embarrassing fashion last Monday.
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Pep Guardiola: 'I am a Man City fan'
This weekend represents the rare occasion when Man City are hoping for a favour from their arch rivals Man United against Arsenal, a side whom the Red Devils have had plenty of success against on home soil in recent years.
Indeed, Man United have lost just one of their last 16 Premier League home matches against the Gunners (W10 D5) - a slender 1-0 defeat in November 2020.
Ahead of Arsenal's trip to Old Trafford, Guardiola was asked whether he would support Man United on Sunday, and the Catalan coach firmly expressed where his allegiances lie.
"I'm a City fan. Trying to beat Fulham, this is all I'm concerned about," Guardiola told reporters at a press conference on Friday.
The Citizens boss has heaped praise on Mikel Arteta's side and believes that their title endeavours match the stern challenges from Liverpool in recent years.
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Guardiola praises Arsenal's "incredible" title challenge
Asked if this season's title battle is the tightest that he has been involved in during his time in the Premier League, Guardiola said: "At the same stage as Liverpool those years.
"[Arsenal] have been the same level of Liverpool those years. The same level, both teams, They have both been incredible."
Guardiola and co are aware that they will win their sixth Premier League title in seven seasons if they secure maximum points in each of their remaining three fixtures, with a trip to Fulham followed by an away clash with Tottenham Hotspur and a home meeting with West Ham United on the final day.
Man City have won each of their last 15 meetings with Saturday's opponents Fulham and will set an all-time English football record if they come out on top at Craven Cottage.
Guardiola has confirmed that he has a fully-fit squad at his disposal, with top scorer Erling Haaland looking to follow up his four-goal haul from last weekend's 5-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers with another clinical display in front of goal versus Fulham.
Oliver Thomas
