Exceptional is the word that Pep Guardiola uses to describe his Manchester City team and he means it in more than one sense.
Exceptional because they lead the Premier League after winning 15 of their previous 17 games. But also because, increasingly, he believes that his team’s style of play is becoming the exception in this competition. The German influence is here.
Ralf Rangnick will be the managerial opponent when Manchester United visit the Etihad Stadium for the derby on Sunday .
It will be the first time that the two have faced each other in a competitive game but it is unlikely to feel that way for Guardiola
