Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola denies betraying Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Pep Guardiola has insisted he did not mislead Zlatan Ibrahimovic over his role in the Barcelona team as the Manchester United striker has claimed. 

The pair suffered a falling out during their time together at Camp Nou and, in his autobiography, Ibrahimovic claimed Guardiola had "betrayed" him before selling him on. 

But as they prepare to go face-to-face in Saturday's Manchester derby, Pep denied that he had been dishonest during their time working together. 

"He explained in his book about what he believes," Guardiola told reporters when asked about his relationship with Ibrahimovic. 

"But always I was clear, I spoke with him always face-to-face - always. I never used the media to explain what I wanted from Zlatan on the pitch, never. 

"The people can say many, many things, but I was so clear and direct to him."