Manchester derby: Pep Guardiola hits back at Zlatan Ibrahimovic as City prepare to face United

PEP GUARDIOLA has hit back at Zlatan Ibrahimovic's claims that he used the media to do his dirty work at Barcelona.

The Swedish superstar was turfed out of the new camp when the Spaniard took over - igniting a bitter feud.

And Guardiola is adamant his treatment of Ibrahimovic was above board, contrary to claims in the Manchester United striker's book.

He said: “He explained in his book about what he believes.

“But always I was clear, I spoke with him always face-to-face - always.

“I never used the media to explain what I wanted from Zlatan on the pitch, never.

“The people can say many, many things, but I was so clear and direct to him.”

Guardiola will square up with another adversary in Jose Mourinho when City travel to Old Trafford today.

And Ibrahimovic, 34, is in no doubt as to who is his preferred manager.

He said of Mourinho: “I know what he wants, his demands and what he goes for.

“He’s a winner. He won and I won before together when we were young and we will win when we are a little bit older.

“Wherever he went he won. This coach makes in a short time a big success and he’s direct with everyone.

“He’s not like a coach who will go behind your back. If you’re not good enough, he will tell you that you’re not good enough. I prefer it like that than if someone does not talk to you, because you don’t hear anything.”

Asked for his view of Guardiola now, Ibrahimovic added: “ A lot of things have happened from that time until now, so how he works today I don’t know – and I couldn’t care less because he’s not my coach.”