Manchester United or Manchester City: Which club should Pep Guardiola take over?

Pep Guardiola has been linked with both Manchester United and Manchester CityWinning the treble is one of the most difficult feats to achieve in football and very few managers have been able to do so. But to win a historic treble in their first season in charge of a senior side is an achievement that only one manager has to his name and that rarest of rare achievements belongs to Pep Guardiola.The Spaniard has already won five league titles, two UEFA Champions League titles and three domestic cup competitions during his time as Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager. Today he is one of the most tactically astute managers in the game and is surely the most coveted one as well.There is a mystery surrounding Guardiola’s future after Bayern confirmed Carlo Ancelotti as their manager from the 2016/17 season. If rumours are to be believed, then the Spaniard will join one of the Manchester clubs in the summer of 2016. Here are five parameters that we believe will play a crucial role in determining Guardiola’s next destination.Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and they do not necessarily represent the views of Sportskeeda

#1 First team squad

Man City have built a formidable side with the likes of David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne in attack

The red half of Manchester has been a powerhouse for many decades and now the blue half of Manchester is proving to be more than just noisy neighbours. Manchester United have struggled to cope with the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson and finished seventh in the 2013/14 season when City were crowned champions. Last season the Citizens finished second in the table and United struggled to finish fourth.

City have slowly and steadily built a very strong squad with the likes of David Silva, Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and Kevin De Bruyne among others. A few more additions to different areas of the pitch can even make them strong contenders in Europe.

Manchester United, on the other hand, have splashed the cash heavily on new recruits in the post-Ferguson era but have struggled to find a proper balance and depth in their squad. Their players are too inconsistent and even captain Wayne Rooney has been one of the major disappointments off late, failing to inspire the team with his performances.

In the current scenario, City’s first team is better established and there is decent squad depth and experience in all positions. However, the same cannot be said about United.

Guardiola previously inherited strong squads at Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Taking the City job will be much easier for him while the United job will be an entirely new challenge which could prove to be difficult in a highly competitive league like the Premier League.

Verdict: Manchester City

#2 Academy

Manchester United’s U21 team are the defending U21 Premier League Champions

Manchester United have produced many talented players over the years and some of their academy graduates played a significant role in their success during the Ferguson era. United have always emphasized on providing chances to their academy players and many such players are currently part of their first team set up.

Academy graduates like Jesse Lingard, Andreas Pereira, Paddy McNair and Adnan Januzaj (currently on loan) have all tasted first team football and are earmarked for success with the senior team. United’s U21 side are the defending champions of the Barclays U21 Premier League and that speaks volumes about the quality of the players in their set-up.

On the other hand, City have spent a fortune to revamp their academy after the takeover. They have scouted many talented players from around the world for their academy and some of them are knocking on the first team doors for an opportunity. Despite having many promising players, the problem with City is that their academy players don’t get the enough chances to play for the first team.

The Citizens have a very strong squad with experienced players and this makes it hard for the young players from the academy to break into the first team. The only academy player who has featured for the first team this season is Kelechi Iheanacho and he has had a very small role to play in the team so far.

Guardiola’s philosophy of integrating young players with the first team gradually and making them stars of the future fits perfectly with Manchester United’s style.

Verdict: Manchester United

#3 History

Manchester United are one of the most decorated clubs in Europe

Pep Guardiola’s past and present clubs are two of the most successful clubs in Europe and also clubs with an enormous fan following. Very few clubs can match the history and success of Barcelona and Bayern Munich, and Manchester United is one of them.

United are the most successful English team in England in terms of league titles won with 20 to their name. The club won 13 of these in the Premier League era alone. United are also winners of the UEFA Champions League on three occasions and also have numerous other domestic and continental titles to their name.

City have been winning trophies regularly in recent years, but they are far behind United in terms of history, success and fan following. City have won the league title on only four occasions and are yet to reach even the quarter-final round of the UEFA Champions League.

If Guardiola wants a club with a similar background to Barcelona or Bayern Munich then the obvious choice is Manchester United.

Verdict: Manchester United

#4 Transfers

Manchester City have spent big to build a squad for the future

The Manchester clubs have the financial power to sign any football player under the sun. When it comes to using the money effectively, one clubs seems to be doing it better than the other at the moment.

Manchester United made some shrewd signings under Ferguson but, after the Scott’s departure, their transfers have not been up to mark. Marouane Fellaini is yet to show why United spent £27.5 million on him and Juan Mata hasn’t come close to being the influential figure he was at Chelsea. United also spent heavily on Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao in transfer fees and wages, but these players were shipped out after just one season.

The Citizens built their squad by spending a lot of money on several players, but some of their signings over the years have done brilliantly to kill any qualms about their abilities. Players like Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta, Yaya Toure, David Silva and Sergio Aguero are perfect examples of City’s brilliant transfers.

A quick glance at the transfers made by both clubs prior to the start of the current season gives an indication of how well these clubs have used their transfer budget. Players like Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling cost City a lot of money but they have hit the ground running. For United, Memphis Depay, Matteo Darmian and Bastian Schweinsteiger have struggled and questions over the fee paid for Anthony Martial still prevail.

When Guardiola takes over at either one of these clubs he will want to have a huge say in the players signed. But having an excellent transfer committee to aid him with the process will help him or the club might have to endure players like Dmytro Chygrynskiy.

Verdict: Manchester City

#5 Freedom of manager

United and City are two clubs who offer their managers the freedom that is required

At any club, the manager needs to be given the freedom to buy the players he wants at the club, play the type of football he prefers and be able to pick or drop players based on his discretion. Studying Manchester United’s current scenario makes it clear that they have given Van Gaal the freedom of choice he wants.

The Dutchman was allowed to sell the players he didn’t want at the club even though it didn’t go down well with the fans. He was also allowed the freedom to stick to his style of play even though it was deemed boring and he has been given some more time even though many are calling for his departure.

In Manchester City’s case, the one thing that deserves a mention is the patience they are showing with managers. City give their managers enough time to try and build a team that can win trophies. They don’t have the knee-jerk reaction of sacking a manager like Chelsea have done over the years.

In addition to this, the manager has the freedom to choose his formation and team. For example, Pellegrini was allowed to stick to his preferred 4-4-2 formation even though teams started to counter it. He was given time to readjust things at the club and he has got City’s season title ambitions back on track this season.

The Manchester clubs have generally given the managers the freedom they demand and have also shown enough patience with them.

Verdict: Tie

#6 Final Verdict

Manchester City would be a great destination for Guardiola

Both Manchester clubs have several factors that could attract Guardiola. City’s first team squad or United’s philosophy with academy players are all examples.

Considering the strength of the first teams when Guardiola took over as the manager of Barcelona and Bayern Munich, it would be easier for him to be the manager of Manchester City. Guardiola likes his team to pass the ball out from the back and for that he needs excellent passers from defence to offence. Kompany and Otamendi are defenders who are comfortable on the ball, midfielders like Silva and De Bruyne are exquisite with the ball at their feet and Aguero needs no introduction.

In United’s case, one of their important first team players, Bastian Schweinsteiger, is a player the Spaniard deemed surplus to his needs at Bayern Munich. Moreover, the revamping he needs to do with the squad would be massive considering the present form of many first team players, including the team captain Wayne Rooney.

United’s academy and history are things that give them a slight edge over City, but Manchester City have invested in their academy and it could be Guardiola who finally changes the trend and gives the youngsters a chance. He could also be the one to start writing a glorious history.

If Guardiola wants to hit the ground running in England then Manchester City is the place to go.