Pep Guardiola says Man Utd have to 'accept the defeat' and claims City's celebrations were not excessive

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola claims his players and staff were respectful with their celebrations after their derby win over Manchester United and said the losers of the match have to “accept the defeat”.

United boss Jose Mourinho was unhappy with City’s celebrations after their 2-1 win at Old Trafford and made his feelings known outside the visitors’ dressing room en route to his post-match interviews.

In the ugly scenes that followed Mourinho had milk and water thrown at him, while City coach Mikel Arteta sustained a cut to his head.

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United and City are undertaking internal investigations and have until 6pm on Wednesday to present their accounts to the Football Association.

The governing body will then determine whether there is enough evidence to pursue charges against specific individuals and/or the clubs themselves.

Guardiola encouraged his players to celebrate, but maintains they were not extravagant in their nature and claims they only did so in the visitors’ dressing room at Old Trafford.

“After the game the players shake hands, between them no problems at all. Some go to players celebrate with the fans like normal. And after we went to the locker room,” Guardiola said.

“I encouraged the players to celebrate the victories but of course inside the locker room. We have huge respect for our opponents, not just for Manchester United. All the opponents. Football and life is not about when we lose, (then) you have to accept the defeat.”

Guardiola was asked if there was anything extravagant about City’s celebrations in the aftermath which might have provoked a reaction from United, however he insist they was nothing out of the ordinary.

“No. definitely not. Believe me definitely not,” added the City boss.

“It was the same as the Southampton game. It was 96 minutes and something like that but were ready. We were happy. Believe me, we were happy.

“We won a derby against Manchester United. At that the moment the biggest rival we have to win it. So people expect we are not going to celebrate? No. We celebrate.

“We didn’t make anything exceptional we have done. Last season in the past in what happens in the future. But always with respect for our opponents. We didn’t go on the pitch or something special.

“We hugged, we jumped because we were happy. People can understand we were happy. We won the game. An important game.”

Guardiola insists the reaction of his players was normal as any other game during his managerial career, and is reflective of football more generally.

“I think all the teams around the world who win a derby, here, in Germany, Spain and Italy. The teams are happy,” he said.

“I win derbies in Germany at Borussia Dortmund we were so happy in the locker room. In Barcelona and all the teams we played, like finals and semi-finals. Always we are happy.

“I am the guy who encouraged them to celebrate in that moment, but between each other because football is like this. It’s what we did.

“And after what happened, happened. Hopefully it cannot not happen again. What happened we make the statement to the FA investigation and they are going to decide.”