'We are alone': Pep Guardiola offers sympathy to Jose Mourinho after Manchester United dismissal

Following Manchester City's League Cup win over Leicester City, manager says he is saddened by rival's departure from Old Trafford

Jose Mourinho is no longer manager of Manchester United.

Manchester United are sixth in the Premier League table after 17 games, 19 points behind leaders Liverpool.

United won three titles in Mourinho's first season in charge, the last one being in the Europa League in May 2017.

Mourinho took charge in the summer of 2016.

United is the first club since Uniao de Leiria that he has not won a league championship with.

United beat Southampton 3-2 in February 2017 to win the League Cup.

Mourinho had a difficult relationship with Paul Pogba throughout his reign. AFP

Mourinho's best finish as United manager was second in 2017/18.. AFP

Mourinho has endured many frustrations during his time in charge. AFP

Mourinho with Pogba in September. Pogba had been dropped from United's side in recent weeks. AFP

In happier times, Mourinho celebrating with players and staff after winning the Europa League. AFP

Mourinho's last game in charge of United on Sunday ended in a 3-1 defeat to Liverpool. AFP

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola insisted he stands with Jose Mourinho after Manchester United dismissed his rival.

Guardiola continued his success after seeing his League Cup holders squeeze into the last four at Leicester City on Tuesday.

City won 3-1 on penalties following a 1-1 draw at the King Power Stadium.

But Guardiola offered words of comfort to Mourinho, who he faced while at City and Barcelona when the Portuguese was at Real Madrid, after he was dismissed at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

"I am on his side, the managers - we are alone," he said. "They contract us to try to win, when we don't win I know what happens.

"I know exactly what they can feel. Always I am there because we feel very alone, all the pressure is on our shoulders.

"He has a lot of experience, he is a tough man, he is coming back soon and we are going to play again."

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Guardiola remained in the hunt for a quadruple this season as Oleksandr Zincheko scored the decisive penalty after Arijanet Muric saved from James Maddison and Caglar Soyuncu.

Christian Fuchs missed for Leicester and Raheem Sterling was embarrassed after he chipped his spot-kick over, although Gabriel Jesus and Ilkay Gundogan scored for City.

Kevin de Bruyne opened the scoring in the first half only for Marc Albrighton's 73rd-minute leveller to send it to penalties.

"We got to the final last season and won so we played to win the game,"Guardiola said. "It was quite similar to last season. The end was the same and last season Claudio [Bravo] was exceptional and this year it was Arijanet.

"I don't know how the legs will be sustained for the rest of the season but it's better to be in the semi final than to be out.

"Aro is so big, his reaction is so quick and he took the right decisions. It's good experience for him. He is a young guy, he is so shy, it's a nice moment. He deserve the big applause."

It was a repeat of last season's shoot-out defeat for Leicester as Claude Puel's gamble to drop Jamie Vardy ahead of Saturday's trip to Chelsea backfired.

But the Frenchman insisted he had no regrets not including Vardy after his recent groin injury.

"I hope we can have him on Saturday," Puel said. "He wasn't fit enough for today. He trained once and then played 90 minutes in the Premier League [at Crystal Palace].

"It was important to keep him fresh and be careful about another injury.

"If we look at the starting players it's all experienced players and talented players. I'm happy with their performance, it was a complete game.

"It's important because we have a good squad and it's important when we play games every three games I want my team to play with the right intensity.

"We cannot have a debate about the penalties. My players took the responsibility. Remember the example of last season when we also lost on penalties. Who missed the penalties then? It was [Riyad] Mahrez and Vardy."