Pep Guardiola sets Premier League title challenge for Man City players

straight to your inboxRoy Keane believes that Manchester City's lack of intensity out of possession has led to their downturn in form this season and think they will regret not signing a striker in the summer.Pep Guardiola's side sit eighth in the Premier League table ahead of their clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Victory would take them above Chelsea and on to 29 points, four points behind Manchester United and Liverpool, with a game in hand.

direct to your inboxGraeme Souness is convinced Manchester United and Manchester City will come up short in this season's race for the Premier League title. Souness believes his former club Liverpool will retain their crown this term.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola has told his Manchester City players not to look too closely at a Premier League table that has rivals Manchester United as joint leaders.United moved level with Liverpool on New Year's Day by beating Aston Villa, with City seven points behind the pair albeit with two games in hand.Speaking ahead of City's trip to face Chelsea, Guardiola said he is not surprised to see a club of United's stature back at the top of the table, but warned Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's

straight to your inbox every day for freeOle Gunnar Solskjaer has dismissed talk of a potential Manchester United title challenge 15 games into the Premier League season.United moved up to second oin the table through Marcus Rashford's 93rd minute strike against Wolves, their latest Old Trafford victory since Michael Owen's derby decider in 2009.Although United are waiting for the Premier League to schedule a date for their postponed match at Burnley, they have played an equal number of games as

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola challenged his Manchester City players to pull together as they deal with the setback of losing Gabriel Jesus and Kyle Walker.The two first team players tested positive for Covid-19 just before Christmas and are set to miss at least the Everton game having already been absent for the Newcastle game.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola has challenged Phil Foden to improve his decision-making if he is to fulfil his potential as a "uniquely special" player.The Manchester City manager has raved about the England prospect ever since he arrived at the Etihad in 2016 and the 20-year-old has firmly established himself in one of the best squads in world football; only five outfield players have more minutes than him this season.Foden underlined his qualities in the 4-1 win over Arsenal in the

straight to your inbox every day for freeLuke Shaw believes Manchester United should not be ruled out in this season's Premier League title race.United sit five points behind league leaders Liverpool heading into the festive period but have a game in hand over their Merseyside rivals.The Reds have won four of their last five league fixtures under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and became only the fourth team in top-flight history to win 10 successive away games in the league.Despite the disappointment of

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola suggested that the financial consequences of the pandemic will prevent Manchester City from buying a striker in the January transfer window.The Blues were interested in signing a forward in summer but with money being used elsewhere to strengthen to defence - Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake arrived at a combined cost of more than £100m - and the club making a conscious effort to keep net spend down the decision was taken not to add another marquee forward.Sergio

straight to your inboxHarry Redknapp says the Premier League title race remains wide open despite Liverpool's dominant win over Crystal Palace on Saturday.Jurgen Klopp's side ran out 7-0 winners at Selhurst Park to put the pressure on Manchester City, but Pep Guardiola's side responded with a solid 1-0 win over Southampton.City currently sit seven points off Liverpool with a game in hand during busy festive period.Speaking on Amazon Prime, Redknapp said City are not out of the running just

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola was critical of Manchester City's finishing as they picked up a narrow 1-0 win at Southampton. The Blues won for the first time in three games to lift themselves up the Premier League table after difficult draws with West Bromwich Albion and Manchester United had halted their momentum.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola has said Manchester City's goalscoring issues cannot be solved by switching individuals in or out of the team.The Blues continued their struggles in front of goal in midweek as a 1-1 draw with West Brom left them eight points off the top of the Premier League table despite an impressive defensive record this season.

straight to your inboxManchester City players and staff have pitched in to ensure no primary school child in East Manchester goes without a Christmas present this year.In addition to the work that the club does through City in the Community through the year, particular attention was given to local children after research indicated that a third of kids in Manchester will not receive a Christmas present.City’s players, coaches and legends all got involved with the mammoth task, with Sergio Aguero

straight to your inbox every day for freePaul Scholes says Manchester United could challenge for the Premier League title if they manage to keep 10 players fit for the remainder of the season.The Reds continued their dominant away form on Thursday as they saw off Sheffield United with a 3-2 victory at Bramall Lane to move sixth in the table, five points off leaders Liverpool with a game in hand.

straight to your inbox every day for freeFred believes a strong run of form in December can cement Manchester United's Premier League title credentials.United can move two points behind second-placed Tottenham, with a game in hand, by defeating Sheffield United today after Jose Mourinho's men were beaten at Anfield on Wednesday.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men can focus on their league campaign with the Europa League not resuming until February, starting at Bramall Lane against bottom side Sheffield

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola thinks that the Premier League is moving into a different phase of the season now the Champions League group stages are out of the way. Manchester City's manager has regularly raised the physical and mental battle of the teams that have had to play European football in a condensed schedule - especially for the Blues and other teams that went deep in continental competitions in August while their domestic rivals were able to recuperate.