Pep Guardiola has insisted that Manchester City won the derby, because they were better.
Guardiola was speaking after their 2-1 victory on Sunday, in response to comments from United manager, Jose Mourinho, who said his side should have been awarded a penalty when Ander Herrera was booked for diving.
“Last season was the same. We won because we were better. In all departments we were better,” Guardiola told a news conference.
On the penalty decision, he added: “For me it is not a penalty first of all because the intention of Otamendi is not to bring him down.
“When a team has the courage to have 65-70-75 percent ball average possession it is because it is an honest team. Because he wants to play and that is what we have done.
“We are clear, we are open, we want the ball and we want to attack and try to win the game in the way we believe.
“The other can do what he wants but my players want to play and sometimes they are quicker sometimes they are faster but it is not a team to look for something special because we are honest.”
City’s win ended United’s home record of 40 games without defeat and extended their lead at the top to 11 points.
“In December, you cannot be champions,” he added.
“Of course it is important for our confidence to feel that we can compete on the biggest stages and have a huge personality.
“We are so happy but in three days, with no recovery, we go to Swansea, and three days after, Tottenham Hotspur, so we will see what position we are in March and April but we are so happy to make 14 games in a row winning.”
