Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola turned the air blue yesterday when discussing how he manages his all-star squad.

Guardiola has denied there is any disquiet in the City dressing-room over a lack of playing time.

“We have excellent human beings," he said. “The relation in locker room in the bad moment this season has been fantastic and in the good moments it has been fantastic. That is not in doubt. But they want to show it, I'm sorry.

“The bigger stars want to criticize their mangers? Ok, you talk, no problem. Three days you have another game. Show me then after I will come to you and say oh f*** how wrong I was. You were right and you are a top talent.

“There, not here, not writing books. No, in the semi-final of a Champions League, go there and win the game like the biggest stars do and after I say I'm sorry. This is the greatest. The greatest are like this. They go there and score two or three goals. I say 'oh f*** he was right and I am wrong'.

“Michael Jordan never go to the media and say my manager and agent and criticise won the NBA titles. Show it. The big ones are there. The only way I know in my career. Knowing that I'm here to support them all the time. Never ever a bad performance will you hear me say."