Paul Pogba, Mkhitaryan were offered to Manchester City, reveals Pep Guardiola ahead of Manchester Derby

In a stunning revelation, Manchester City Manager Pep Guardiola ahead of the Manchester derby has said that he was offered Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan during the January transfer window by super-agent Mino Raiola.

Manchester United’s record signing was in a dispute with boss Jose Mourinho over his defensive responsibilities and playing position in the team.

Raiola proposed the most controversial deal possible, a switch from United to City. Last player to be involved in such a deal was Argentine forward Carlos Tevez.

The super-recently described the City manager as “an absolute zero ... a coward, a dog."

Signalling towards Raiola’s comments in an interview, Guardiola said that he was surprised to know that Pogba’s representative had even thought of a switch to Manchester City.

“I am surprised because I am a dog,” said Guardiola. “So if I’m a dog he cannot join his players to here. No way. Why he offered if we were interested in taking Mkhitaryan and Pogba to play with us? I’m a bad guy, so he has to protect his players, so he has to know he cannot bring his players to a guy like me, like a dog. And comparing a dog is bad. It’s not good. He has to respect the dogs,” Guardiola added.

Earlier this month, Raiola criticised the Spanish manager, “Pep Guardiola, the coach, is fantastic. As a person he’s an absolute zero. He’s a coward, a dog. He’s a classic priest. ‘Do as I tell you; don’t do what I do ...’ If Manchester City win the Champions League this season it will emphasize what a good coach he is – but I’ll hate it.”

Responding to questions about Raiola’s comments, the 47-year-old manager said, “Finally, the people discover my secrets: I’m a bad guy. I’m a coward. I never speak with him ... so maybe for you that explains what he thinks about me. But being a bad guy, like two months ago he offered me Mkhitaryan and Pogba to play with us. Why?”

Manchester United visit the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, and if City win then the English title will be decided on the earliest date since 1956.