Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola has revealed the only Manchester United’s player who he’s always scared for his team to face.

Over the course of nine years, Pep Guardiola has faced five different Manchester United managers in Manchester derbies. From Jose Mourinho to Erik ten Hag and now Rúben Amorim, the City boss has encountered a variety of tactical approaches from the other side of town, winning 13 derbies during that stretch. In contrast, those five United coaches have collectively managed eight wins, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer claiming half of those. The Norwegian had a surprisingly good record against Guardiola, famously guiding United to both home and away wins over City in the 2019/2020 Premier League campaign.

Rúben Amorim, the latest to take charge at Old Trafford, wasted no time in making his mark. In his very first Manchester derby in December, he guided United to a dramatic 2-1 win at the Etihad, making him the only United manager to win his debut clash with Guardiola. That victory was made possible by a late penalty won and converted by Amad, sealing a remarkable comeback that stunned City fans.

Guardiola, never one to shy away from expressing his thoughts, appeared both respectful and slightly sarcastic when he commented that Amorim was “much better” than him following the Portuguese manager’s appointment. That tone is not unfamiliar for Guardiola, who has been known to use irony when discussing managerial rivals. Yet Amorim’s track record against him speaks volumes: two wins, one draw, and just one loss from their four meetings.

Their history dates back to Amorim’s time at Sporting Lisbon, where although his side suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat to City in February 2022, they rebounded with a 0-0 draw in the return leg. Then in November, just before taking the United job, Amorim’s Sporting thrashed Guardiola’s City 4-1—another standout moment in this growing rivalry.

Following that loss, Guardiola acknowledged the challenges of a demanding season, vowing not to give up and expressing confidence in his team’s ability to recover. Despite the setback, his focus remained on fighting across all competitions, while admitting that sometimes, football defies explanation.

Now in England, Amorim has again proven a tough opponent for Guardiola. With the two sides set to meet at Old Trafford this Sunday, Amorim will be aiming to complete the double over the City boss—a feat that would signal a potential shift in Manchester’s footballing power. Guardiola, meanwhile, faces the rare challenge of a coach who not only stands up to him tactically but has also bested him more than once.

This budding rivalry has added a new layer of intrigue to the Manchester derby. Should Amorim emerge victorious again, it won’t just be another win—it could signify the start of a new era where he isn’t just another name in Guardiola’s long list of opponents, but the manager who might just be his toughest test yet.