Report: Manchester United cools interest in manager Pep Guardiola

Manchester United will not actively pursue manager Pep Guardiola when his contract with Bayern Munich expires, reports Daniel Taylor of the Guardian, allowing crosstown rival Manchester City to go after the former Barcelona man without direct competition.

Guardiola is expected to decide whether to extend his current deal with Bayern over the winter break, which begins after the Dec. 19 match at Hannover.

The 44-year-old has been linked to the City job for quite some time, not least because of his previous relationship with the club's chief executive Ferran Soriano and director Txiki Begiristain, who worked with Guardiola at Barcelona.

United reportedly would have considered a move for Guardiola had the timing been better. Its support of Louis van Gaal, coupled with a commitment to the Dutchman until 2017, makes a bid for Guardiola all the more difficult.

Current City boss Manuel Pellegrini, however, faces a much more serious threat to his job. His contract also runs until 2017, but Guardiola's availability would directly affect his future, Taylor adds.

Pellegrini's side has failed to solidify a hold of first place in the Premier League, and hasn't won a Premier League away match since Sept. 12 at Crystal Palace.