Pep Guardiola to Manchester City: Manchester United 'did not make move' to appoint Catalonian boss

The 45-year-old’s appointment at the Etihad was confirmed by incumbent manager Manuel Pellegrini

Pep Guardiola will replace Manuel Pellegrini at the Etihad next season (Getty)

Manchester United insist in the strongest terms they did not make a concerted effort to ensnare Pep Guardiola from under rivals Manchester City’s noses.

The 45-year-old’s appointment at the Etihad was confirmed by incumbent manager Manuel Pellegrini during his weekly press briefing yesterday afternoon. Already the highest paid head coach in world football at Bayern Munich on €16.5m (£13m), Guardiola is expected to earn an annual sum in the region of €20m (£15.5m) at City but the Independent today reveals they faced no competition from neighbours United.

Louis van Gaal, the embattled Red Devils manager, has come in for vehement criticism this season for preferring a possession-based style of play which has seldom reaped enough goals or points to appease regulars at Old Trafford.

The Catalonian’s arrival across Manchester, on the other hand, represents City’s desire to step out of United’s shadow and emerge as a major force in European football. Pellegrini has kept his side on a steady trajectory this season with hopes of a remarkable quadruple still intact.

City have a favourable draw with Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League, are set to meet Liverpool in the Capital One Cup final and remain just three points behind Premier League leaders Leicester City. An opportunity to further damage Chelsea’s season also lies in wait when the pair meet in the FA Cup fifth round at Stamford Bridge on 20 February.

Despite the lingering fear that Guardiola’s Bayern may be drawn against his prospective employers in future rounds of the European Cup this campaign, it is hoped yesterday’s announcement will stir the City dressing room into life. Meanwhile, Pellegrini’s stock remains high and the 62-year-old is likely to be offered managerial positions across the globe before the end of the season.