Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said that Sir Alex Ferguson “always” held the same stance on one thing during his legendary Manchester United career.
Sir Alex Ferguson bowed out of management in 2013 after he captured Manchester United’s last Premier League title triumph in the 2012-13 campaign.
The 82-year-old iconic Scotsman oversaw incredible success during his 26-year reign at Old Trafford, including leading the Red Devils to a famous treble in 1999.
During his trophy-laden career at United, Ferguson lifted 13 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, five FA Cups and four League Cups.
Pep Guardiola holds the legendary Scot in high regard and previously paid the ultimate compliment on former United and Aberdeen manager Ferguson.
Ferguson had a heated rivalry with the City boss when he was in charge of Barcelona, with Guardiola getting the better of the United legend on two occasions.
The former United head coach fell short of the Champions League title in both 2009 and 2011, with Guardiola’s Barcelona sides coming out on top in both finals.
READ MORE: Sir Alex Ferguson once claimed he only managed four ‘world-class’ players in his Man United career
Guardiola on Ferguson’s claim
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola appeared to drop a thinly veiled dig at Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.
Jurgen Klopp, who is stepping down at the end of the season, oversaw the Reds’ Carabao Cup title triumph on Sunday after they beat Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley.
Manchester United were the defending Carabao Cup champions this season and were knocked out of the competition last November at the hands of Newcastle.
Guardiola has lifted the Carabao Cup four times – the same as Sir Alex Ferguson – since he arrived at the Etihad in 2016 as City head coach.
However, the 53-year-old Spaniard revealed that former United manager Ferguson “always” held the same view on the League Cup, saying that it did not matter.
“I remember when I arrived, Brian Kidd told me, ‘The Carabao Cup, don’t pay attention, play the young players, nobody cares,’” Guardiola said.
“Sir Alex Ferguson was always, ‘It doesn’t matter.’ I don’t know what happened in these last years, looks like the final of a different competition. It’s the truth!”
Ferguson’s views on League Cup changed
Ferguson was known for being an outspoken critic of both international friendlies and the League Cup, with the United legend pulling no punches on the latter.
However, the former United boss did find success in the competition during his spell at Old Trafford and flip-flopped with his views on the League Cup.
Ferguson’s last triumph in the League Cup came in 2010 after United defeated Aston Villa 2-1 at Wembley, with Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen scoring in the final.
Speaking ahead of the aforementioned final, Ferguson did not play down the significance of playing in the League Cup and challenging for silverware.
“Wembley is an occasion,” he said in 2010, as per the North Wales Live.
“It has always been that way. But the only way you can enjoy Wembley is by winning.”