Pep Guardiola names the one Man Utd player he regrets not coaching during his career

Pep Guardiola regrets not coaching an ex Man United star who he views as his “favourite player

Pep Guardiola, who has overseen numerous world-class players throughout his career, expressed a desire to have coached a particular former Manchester United player. The Catalan manager, currently at Manchester City, has enjoyed immense success and could potentially surpass Sir Alex Ferguson’s record if he leads City to a fourth consecutive Premier League title.

However, at a charity golf event hosted by Rory McIlroy in Belfast in 2017, actor and avid Manchester United supporter James Nesbitt posed a question that intrigued Guardiola.

During a charity golf event hosted by Rory McIlroy in Belfast in 2017, avid Manchester United supporter James Nesbitt queried former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola about which former United star he would have liked to manage. Guardiola’s response was quick and decisive, as he chose a player who possessed all the attributes necessary to excel at Barcelona.

“Ah, Paul Scholes,” he said, as per the Manchester Evening News.

“My favourite player.”

Those connected to Barcelona have consistently praised Scholes; at one point, Guardiola called him “the best midfielder of his generation” and said he wished he had teammates like him while he was playing.

“Out of everyone at Manchester United, I would pick out Scholes – he is the best midfielder of his generation,” he said prior to the Champions League final at Wembley in 2011.

“I would have loved to have played alongside him.”

The 53-year-old has, meanwhile, also expressed his respect for a longtime midfield teammate of Scholes. He discusses Sergio Busquets, whom he managed, and Xabi Alonso with Michael Carrick.

“I am a big fan of Michael [Carrick],” Guardiola said prior a Manchester derby in 2017.

“He is one of the best holding midfielders I’ve ever seen in my life by far.