Sometimes, the most interesting audiences with Pep Guardiola are when you least expect them. With respect to Fulham, a home game against Marco Silva's men doesn't carry many talking points to quiz the Manchester City manager on. But there are always other topics of discussion, and Friday was proof that often all you need for a story is Guardiola himself.
He started by offering to reimburse fans who have funded a banner asking him to stay, and then embarked on a passionate defence of his club in relation to their 115 charges from the Premier League . ("I am part of this club," he said. "It's deep inside my bones.
") Then he took aim at FIFA. And it wasn't long before the Premier League were in his crosshairs. ALSO READ: 'Part of this club' - Pep Guardiola's 115 charges update gives fresh insight into Man City future ALSO READ: Angry Pep Guardiola tears apart FIFA rule change that will impact Man City with simple question The FIFA issue was a rule change which will instruct teams to play their strongest teams at the Club World Cup next summer.
"What is the strongest players? Which ones?" he asked. "If you tell me for them which players are stronger than the other ones? I don't understand. We go all the squad there, we don't go for one game.
" In five words, a rule-change which will have taken weeks to draft and implement was picked apart in brutal fashion by Guardiola, in the same way he has dismantled United at Old Trafford , or countless visitors to the Etihad. Nobody will dare.