Man City boss Pep Guardiala told he is ‘scared of Roy Keane’ following bizarre title rant at Jamie Carragher, Gary Neville and Micah Richards as Liverpool legend fires back with fresh retort

The City boss responded to criticism from pundits Carragher, Gary Neville and Micah Richards in a press conference this week after the former Liverpool, United and City players accused Guardiola's team of complacency. The Catalan coach mocked the trio because they did not win four Premier League titles in a row as his team are aiming to do this season, adding: "I don’t have that feeling [of complacency]. Maybe, maybe I’m wrong and they are seeing everything that I’m not able to see."

Carragher feels Guardiola's comments were an attempt to create a "siege mentality" within his team, but noted that ex-United hardman Keane was not mentioned in his criticism. He said on the Stick to Football podcast from Sky Bet: "He came out and had a bit of a go at people. It feels to me that he's a little bit worried about Arsenal, the fact he's done that and he feels he needs to give everyone a kick up the backside as well... The only thing as well I noticed, he must be terrified of him [Keane]. He didn't mention him, did he?!"

Keane highlighted that Guardiola seemed particularly annoyed by claims his team have grown complacent, a term the Irishman did not use in his criticism. He said: "He's using a word in his press conference, 'complacent', I don't think I said, I said they're off it and they're giving bad goals away and they're easier to play against, but I think why he was probably a bit more annoyed with that word."

City did not do themselves any favours against such criticism as they were beaten 1-0 by Aston Villa on Wednesday, who were on top against the reigning Premier League champions for the entire 90 minutes. Guardiola's team managed just two shots in the game, while Villa had 22.

City have failed to win any of their last four Premier League matches heading into their meeting with Luton on Sunday. The European and English champions are now six points behind league leaders Arsenal, who come up against City slayers Aston Villa on Saturday.