United versus City: Manchester derby goes global with Pep and Jose

Pep Guardiola said he would accept Jose Mourinho’s offer of a glass of wine after the Manchester derby if one is forthcoming, although the past week has shown the Manchester City boss to be somewhat shorter of potential drinking partners than one might imagine for a celebrated figure in modern football.

Guardiola’s arrival as City head coach was marked by an outdoor fan festival at the club’s training complex at the start of July and impromptu interviews with supporters, young and old, in the back of a black cab.

This was fun, likeable and charming Pep, decked out in his favourite smart-casual threads.

As commentators and fans exchanged his first and surnames with an easy familiarity, Pep stormed to five wins from five competitive games, City playing with dashing attacking verve and inverted full-backs and Aleksandar Kolarov sometimes deployed at centre-back.

#PepsTaxi is back!

Five City fans get the shock of their lives