• Champions League

Manchester United can't afford our stars, says Guardiola

Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola says Manchester United cannot afford his players, despite counterpart Louis van Gaal having spent over £150 million on new personnel this summer.

Several of Bayern's key players, including striker Thomas Mueller, were on Van Gaal's original shopping list but the Dutchman was forced to buy elsewhere in order to improve United's squad.

"They [United] don't have enough money," Guardiola said when asked if Bayern had turned down any bids from United for their players this summer.

"I saw they spent a lot of money. That's good for my friend Louis. I know all the players the clubs want, but it just depends on the player. If the player wants to stay, they stay.

"Manchester United wanted these kind of players, but they want to stay and we are happy to be here."

Van Gaal targeted a move for striker Mueller, who later claimed he turned down a lucrative offer to join the Premier League side, and was also linked with moves for Bastian Schweinsteiger and Arjen Robben.

However, Van Gaal instead spent United's money elsewhere; the former Bayern manager bought Angel Di Maria for a club record fee of £59.7m and also brought in Radamel Falcao, Daley Blind, Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo, taking the club's summer spending over the £150m-mark.

United failed to achieve Champions League football for the first time in 19 years after they finished seventh under previous manager David Moyes last season, a feat which Guardiola believes has acted as a warning to Europe's leading clubs.

"It's a good lesson for the big clubs," Guardiola said. "They think 'we are unbeatable and strong' and they are not here. Maybe the next season they are out.

"That's why football is magnificent. Every single week you have to be ready. Every week you have got to show you are ready. A bad 45 minutes and you're out."

Guardiola's Bayern, meanwhile, face Manchester City in their opening Champions League fixture at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday. The manager has confirmed Franck Ribery will not play against Manuel Pellegrini's side, while Robben is also a doubt.

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