‘I’m not being sarcastic’ – Pep Guardiola fumes at Premier League double standards after Man Utd clash moved

PEP GUARDIOLA accused the Premier League of double standards after moving matches to help Euro finalists next week.

And he has also been dismayed by the decision to make his Manchester City play their rearranged game with Bournemouth on Tuesday night.

Pep Guardiola is set to lead his side at Wembley tomorrowCredit: Reuters

The Etihad chief has often grumbled about the schedule his team have been handed after key Champions League ties.

Yet both Manchester United and Tottenham had their league matches moved to last night to give them more time to prepare for Wednesday night’s Europa League final in Bilbao.

He said: “Tottenham played Aston Villa on Friday night ahead of  the Europa League final. Good decision.

“I’m not being sarcastic. The Premier League made a good decision.

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“But we played all the time in semi and quarter-finals of the Champions League on Wednesday away —  and then played on Saturday.

“This season, when we didn’t play in those games, we played on  Sunday — when we didn’t need the extra day.”

Meanwhile, City still need points from their final two Prem matches to ensure a top-five spot and secure Champions League football next term.

And they have been given no favours, with their home game against the Cherries scheduled for Tuesday night — even though City are in today’s FA Cup final against  Crystal Palace.

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Guardiola said they had not asked for it to be moved, but added: “I’d prefer to play Wednesday, definitely. It will be tough.

“We’ve been nine years fighting against these situations, every single season and nothing goes.

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“We are going to play Tuesday night against an intense, physical,  direct and powerful team like Bournemouth.

“They are playing for the Europa League or Conference qualification. So we have to deal with that. But they decided we should play Tuesday.”

For now Guardiola must focus on how to beat a Palace side looking to win a first-ever major trophy.

By contrast, the City boss has won 38 major pots during his managerial career — but insists he will be just as motivated.

He said: “When you have never won, it is special for Oliver Glasner, the players and the fans.

“But I have incredible enthusiasm to win, so we’ll see what happens.”

And Guardiola left the door open for Ballon d’Or winner Rodri — who has not featured since damaging his cruciate knee ligament in September — to appear at Wembley.

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But it seems unlikely — and Pep said: “I am waiting on the doctors.

“When they tell me he’s ready, he’s going to start. We don’t want to take a risk.”

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