Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has reserved some special praise for Manchester United tactician Erik ten Hag ahead of the FA Cup final.
The two Manchester sides will battle it out in the FA Cup for the first time ever on Saturday, with both clubs looking to claim a second trophy this campaign.
Ten Hag has guided United to the Carabao Cup trophy and a third-place finish in the Premier League season but he could end up as an FA Cup winner.
Read: Man Utd set to terminate £80m star's contract?
Guardiola and Ten Hag worked together at Bayern Munich, and the City manager was full of praise for his United counter-part.
"It's not easy the first season in the Premier League, I know myself, so that defines a really good manager. I cannot say we are friends as we are not in touch much. But I think Man United has an exceptional manager for many, many years," Guardiola told reporters, as per Goal.
The Citizens manager is also aware that the Red Devils have improved over the campaign after their slow start.
Stand a chance to win tickets to Trevor Noah's Live in South Africa Tour
"It's the final of the FA Cup and it's a pleasure to be here. It's a final so nothing else. It should be good for us if we have to think about what we have to do to win one game - nothing changes to analyse the strength of our opponents and the weaknesses they have," he added.
"A final is special for itself but United from the last four, five six months are a completely different team.
"Now I have the feeling from the beginning of the season is different and they have improved. It's United so the qualities of players have always been here."
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.