Pep Guardiola says he will shake Jose Mourinho’s hand when both Manchester teams meet on Monday.
The spotlight is expected to be on Guardiola and Mourinho wwhen Manchester United play Manchester City in Beijing in the International Champions Cup. It will be the first time the managers have faced each other in four years and Guardiola says his relationship with the Portuguese coach will not be an issue.
When asked if he would shake Mourinho’s hand, Guardiola said: “Of course, we’re polite guys. Why not? Why wouldn’t I shake hands?”
The rivalry between the two managers dates back to 2009, when Guardiola was at Barcelona and Mourinho was managing Inter Milan. They have since clashed on several occasions, with Mourinho often portrayed as the aggressor.
Speaking further, Guardiola said: “He [Mourinho] wants to win, I want to win, but it is a friendly game, a really friendly game.”
United and City finished level on points in the Premier League last season, but City pipped their fierce rivals to a place in the Champions League because of their superior goal difference.
Both teams appointed new managers in the summer and Guardiola believes United will improve under their new boss – although he did not refer to his rival by his name.
“I am pretty sure they will be stronger than last year, he said. “With this manager and the good players they already had, they will be a good team.”
