OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER OPENS UP ON MAN UTD'S SEASON SO FAR
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Pep Guardiola is refusing to rule out Manchester United in the title race after they closed the gap on his Manchester City side to 11 points last weekend.
Goals from Bruno Fernandes and Luke Shaw earned United the derby bragging rights and in doing so, ended City's 21-game winning run.
15 of those victories had come in the Premier League, with City threatening to win their third title in four years at a canter.
Speaking after the 2-0 victory, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer claimed the challenge to reel in their local rivals was too difficult with just 10 games remaining.
© Pool via REUTERSMan Utd managed to close the gap slightly on their local rivals, with the 2-0 win at the Etihad
"We just take one game at a time; City are too far ahead for us to think we can catch them," he told Sky Sports.
"Last year we caught 15 points up on Leicester, but City are a different proposition."
However, Guardiola believes that his own team's staggering recent run of form is a sign that things can quickly change in the race for top spot.
Asked if they could still be caught by United, he said: "Of course. When the options are open, anything can happen in football.
© TWITTER@footballdailyOle Gunnar Solskjaer has claimed it will be too difficult to catch City
"Nobody thought we could go [winning] 21 games in a row, 15 in the Premier League, so everything can happen.
"A team like United can do it. There are 10 games left and we have to win six or seven to be champions mathematically.
"We are going to try and win the first one tomorrow."
City can re-establish their 14 point gap with a win over Southampton on Wednesday evening, a side the Red Devils beat 9-0 as recently as last month.
© Paul Ellis/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/ShutterstockPep Guardiola disagrees with Solskjaer's assessment and believes Man Utd still have a chance
Quizzed on whether that result would have any bearing on their clash with the Saints, Guardiola reacted spikily.
"The score will be 18-0 -- what a question," he responded. "They [Manchester United] scored nine because it was 89 minutes 10 vs. 11 -- you think it's a joke? Come on, we'll try to win the game, that's all and get the three points.
"I'm a big fan of this team and the way they play. I see the quality of what they do and it's another test to play good and try to win."
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