Guardiola confirms De Bruyne will miss Manchester Derby with muscular injury

Manchester City's emergence as a Premier League force means they are no longer scared of playing away at Old Trafford, according to Pep Guardiola.

City have lost only one league clash away at rivals Manchester United since 2011 and are desperate for three points in their quest to retain the title.

Guardiola has won both league games there since taking over as manager three years ago.

'The reason why is the fact that this club over the last decade has grown a lot and it is not scary to go there,' Guardiola said.

'Before it was maybe more difficult. The players Man City had in the last decade made this game a little bit more equal.

'Three seasons since I am here we did better than them but here it is winning the title, not beating United.

'I don't make theories about what happened in the past for what is going to happen in the future. Every game is completely different.'

Guardiola claimed he sympathises with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has suffered six defeats in his last eight games, as the Norwegian comes under scrutiny for the club's recent form.

'Everybody needs time,' he added. 'Our world, our position, I am close to Solskjaer, I understand perfectly his position.

'We feel alone and that is why I understand completely his position. It happens to all the managers around the world. That is the reality. I understand him perfectly. I support him.'

Guardiola suggested Kevin De Bruyne, who picked up a hamstring injury at the weekend, needs a full pre-season to hit the heights of last year.

'Unfortunately it was one injury, another one, another one,' the City boss said. 'Muscular problems, he had two or three. In England you don't have time to make a preparation.

'You play every three days that is not the best way. You have to make a good pre-season. Now he has to pay attention, the little details, see if he can play one or two more games this season and next season make a good pre-season.

'He has a lovely family and is incredibly well organised, family, training session, rest. We are going to speak with him to be safe, to be fit. That is what I am going to try and do.'