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Guardiola: I would never manage Manchester United

Martin Rickett - PA Images / PA Images / Getty

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola ruled out the possibility of ever taking over rival Manchester United.

He was reportedly linked with the job following the departure of legendary United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, but the Spaniard says managing the Red Devils is out of the question now, even if it was the only job available to him.

"If I didn't have any offers, I would be in the Maldives," the former Barcelona manager said, according to BBC Sport's Simon Stone, ahead of the Manchester derby on Tuesday.

"Maybe not the Maldives because it doesn't have any golf courses but after training City, I won't train United, just like I would never train Madrid.

"Definitely not."

Guardiola reportedly met with Ferguson in 2012 while he was on sabbatical following the conclusion of his illustrious career at Barcelona, Stone reports.

Ferguson was eager to learn Guardiola's future plans before he decided to end his legendary tenure at United. But Guardiola ultimately opted to join Bayern Munich in 2013 before finding his way to City three years later.

City will look to avenge their December loss to United when they visit Old Trafford in the first leg of their League Cup semifinal encounter.

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