We are polite guys –why should he not shake my hand, says Pep Guardiola ahead of City’s clash with Manchester United on Monday

Pep and Jose

Manchester City new manager Pep Guardiola has dismissed claims that he won’t shake hands with his old rival Jose Mourinho.

Guardiola spoke in Beijing ahead of City’s clash with Jose Mourinho’s side on Monday, a match that is dubbed ‘First Manchester Derby in Beijing’.

According the guardian, the two managers’ fractious rivalry draws back to their era in Spain when Guardiola was in charge of Barcelona as Jose Mourinho led Real Madrid.

However, they have so far maintained that they will not focus on each other’s business in Manchester.

“We are polite guys – why not? Why should we not shake hands? No reason why. He will want to win and so will I, that’s all.” said Guardiola.

Manchester United have already had their second pre-season campaign against Borussia Dortmund where they suffered first defeat under Mourinho (4-1 loss to Dortmund).

But Guardiola acknowledged that United would mount a serious challenge in the English Premier League after a period in the doldrums since the retirement of Alex Ferguson in 2013.

"I'm pretty sure they will be stronger than in previous years," said Guardiola.

"With this manager I'm sure they will buy new players. They will be a strong team."

Sunday's training session was switched hastily to the smaller Olympic Sports Centre to preserve the famous Bird's Nest stadium's pitch following days of storms in the Chinese capital that have left the ground saturated.

The first Manchester derby outside the UK will be played at the centrepiece of the 2008 Beijing Olympics on Monday night, weather permitting. More than 200 people have died in flooding in northern provinces surrounding Beijing.

Not ideal

Guardiola acknowledged that conditions would not be ideal and his first priority at this stage of pre-season was to avoid any injuries.

"We didn't see the pitch but there is a lot of water in the last days so we understand it's not in a good condition," said Guardiola.

"But OK we're going to adapt and adjust. The most important thing is that the players are not going to be injured.

"We know the humidity for the training is not ideal, but we also know that it's so important to come here to know the people and to play a good two games against amazing teams like United and Dortmund."

Captain Vincent Kompany is in Beijing with the squad after recovering from an injury-blighted campaign in 2015-16, but did not train with the rest of the players as he is undergoing his own intensive programme to regain full fitness.

Guardiola said there was a possibility he could be ready for the first game of the new season against Sunderland on August 13, but he would not rush the Belgian central defender back and risk further injury.

"The physio says he is ready but he needs to show that he can play one week, then one week more, to play regularly," said Guardiola.

"The most important thing is for Vincent to get fit - if it's for Sunderland, perfect. If not, September."

Edited by Musalia Wycliffe/Standard Digital