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Manchester City's Pep Guardiola a 'big fan' of United's Michael Carrick

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has described Manchester United's Michael Carrick as "one of the best holding midfielders I've ever seen."

Carrick, 35, has made 450 appearances for United in all competitions since joining the club from Tottenham Hotspur in 2006.

Guardiola, whose City side host their rivals in the Manchester derby on Thursday, said: "He's one of the best holding midfielders I've ever seen in my life, by far."

The Catalan also reserved praise for 19-year-old United striker Rashford, who has scored 10 Premier League goals for his boyhood club since making his debut in 2016.

Guardiola said: "I am a big fan of Michael Carrick. Marcus Rashford is a good talent. You have outstanding players, you can do it with the national team."

United travel to the Etihad Stadium looking to climb above fourth-placed City, who they trail by a point with six matches of the season remaining.

"They are good, good rivals, good quality, in good form," Guardiola said. "They've had big series without defeat in the Premier League.

"They have a lot of quality, history. We're looking forward to the game."