Pep Guardiola says Manchester City’s recent victories over Manchester United won’t influence his thinking ahead of this weekend’s meeting with their city rivals.

Erling Haaland and Phil Foden both hit hat-tricks in United’s trip to the Etihad last season and City have since beaten Erik ten Hag’s team in the FA Cup final and at Old Trafford earlier in this campaign. However, Guardiola knows that those matches will have no impact on what happens come Sunday.

Guardiola cited United’s draw with Liverpool in December after a 7-0 defeat in the same fixture last term as an example of how teams can turn it around. He also emphasised the importance of each of their last 12 Premier League games if they are to lift a fourth straight title.

“United went to Anfield last season and lost 7-0. This season everyone said it would be easy for Liverpool. What was the result? They didn’t win,” he said, adding: “The past is the past. We cannot deny how good he [Ten Hag] has done in the past in Amsterdam. In different situations, I know my players will behave in Old Trafford with the right character and do their best.

“It’s going to happen on Sunday and it’s going to be a real tough game. We have to be humble enough to respect our opponent. It’s not just the fact of United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa is there. We have to fight week by week to win the title.

“It’s another final for us. It’s here more difficult than Old Trafford, we lost more here. We have to perform really well.”