Pep Guardiola’s arrival at Manchester City won’t worry United, declares Chris Smalling
The Spaniard will take replace Manuel Pellegrini at the end of the season, and comes with a record of success at Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
However, Smalling claims United are unfazed.
“We don’t care really, in that whoever is managing City, or coming and going, it doesn’t really affect us,” he said.
“City are always going to have a top manager, as are we, so it doesn’t affect us too much.”
Smalling has also spoken positively about United boss Louis van Gaal’s communication with his players, with the England international describing it as an “improving” relationship.
“He’s got his way of working and his philosophy but what people don’t see is the communication among the players,” Smalling said.
“We have meetings about how we’ll press a team or how we’ll play a certain play, and he listens to the player’s opinions so we can work together.
“So our working relationship is definitely improving.”
Meanwhile, Michael Carrick has stressed Manchester United are “not giving anything up” despite the disappointment of Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea.
United had looked set to chalk up a third straight win in all competitions before Diego Costa’s late equaliser salvaged a point for the Blues.
That result left the Red Devils six points behind fourth-placed Manchester City and 12 behind leaders Leicester in the Premier League, and they are out of the Champions League.
They are in Europa League and FA Cup action this month alongside the continued top-flight battle, though.
And United midfielder Carrick said: “There is plenty to play for this month and of course plenty of points to play for in the league. We’re not giving anything up just yet.
“I think it (Sunday) was a big day for us in terms of the league situation. If we’d have gone there and got a win we’d have been in good shape, but it wasn’t to be and it makes things harder for us.
“It’s hard to take, losing two points so late on. I know we were under pressure for the last 10 or 15 minutes but to lose a goal like that is disappointing.
“We just didn’t do the right things at the right time near the end and see the game out.”
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