Pep Guardiola’s right-hand man has accused Manchester City’s detractors of jealousy and wearing blindfolds.
Manel Estiarte, the manager’s eyes and ears at the Etihad Stadium, took aim at those who have labelled a trophyless first campaign in England a ‘disaster’.
He suggested negativity about Guardiola’s start at City stems from failing to grasp the club’s evolution - and claimed their performances had matched the very best of Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
‘They can say what they want,’ Estiarte told Catalan newspaper Ara.