When Pep Guardiola took over Manchester City and Jose Mourinho took over Manchester United in the summer of 2016, it looked as though the two managers would go head-to-head for the Premier League title for years to come.The two managers had been rivals at Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively and we expected fireworks between the pair both on the touchline and in the media.However, that hasn’t quite come to fruition - mainly because Mourinho simply hasn’t been able to compete with Guardiola.Mourinho may have led United to a League Cup and Europa League double in his debut season, but he could only manage a sixth-place finish in the league.Meanwhile, Guardiola’s City finished third and trophyless.But then City took over Manchester.The following season, City picked up 100 points to win the Premier League, while they also claimed the League Cup.United may have finished second but they were a massive 19 points behind.And this season, the difference between the two sides is even more evident.City are already 18 points ahead of them in the league and, on the day that Mourinho was sacked for United, Guardiola’s side reached the semi-finals of the League Cup.The champions progressed past Leicester via a penalty shootout at the King Power Stadium and Guardiola, obviously, was asked about the sacking of his rival.

PEP REACTS TO MOURINHO'S SACKING

Pep may well have slightly happy on the inside that he had defeated his enemy but that certainly didn’t come across in the interview.

“When it happens, I’m always sad for the managers,” Guardiola said on Sky Sports after the match.

“We are alone. As a manager when the situation is not good, we are alone. I’m close to all of them.

“But football, that happens. You know what happens when you’re sacked because maybe the results are not good.

“But he doesn’t need me. He’s so strong and I wish him all the best and soon he’s going to come back.”

Classy comments from Guardiola.