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Manchester City will become a team of great entertainers that is talked about for generations – but only if Pep Guardiola is given time.

That’s the view of the Spaniard’s ­former team-mate at Barcelona , ­Ronald de Boer, who insists that the sparkling brand of football at the ­Etihad will be the perfect antidote to Jose Mourinho’s functional fare at Old Trafford.

As Guardiola heads into his second full season in charge, he does so against the backdrop of a barren first ­campaign.

Finishing 15 points ­behind Premier League champions Chelsea has raised questions about the “play at all costs” mentality.

Manchester City failed to lift a ­trophy – while Mourinho plonked three in the cabinet at Old Trafford – which has only added to the pressure on the 46-year-old.

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But his former Nou Camp pal De Boer believes that Guardiola will ­eventually fashion an exciting team to be talked about long after the club’s boss has moved on – aiming a sideswipe at Mourinho into the bargain.

The former Dutch international said: “He will improve ­Manchester City next season, ­without doubt.

“I say this because he’s the best ­manager. He changes games. He makes teams play. People in the street look at his teams and think, ‘Wow, OK, I want to see this!’.

“At Barcelona, you were almost afraid to go to the ­toilet. You knew that, if you did, there was the possibility of missing something special. He can get Manchester City to that level.

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“Fans will come to the stadium because they will see something happen. The result may not always be great, but they know the players will be playing ­attractively. They will do everything in their power to win games.

“They might concede, but the ­supporters will enjoy watching them so much. And, yes, they will do better next season.”

Asked whether Guardiola was not even the best manager of a Manchester club, let alone the best in the Premier League, De Boer replied: “You can’t judge a ­manager in one season! How long did it take Alex Ferguson? Four years, wasn’t it?

“I know you don’t get that time ­nowadays. Pep knows. You will see, for example, that this new striker Gabriel Jesus is amazing.

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“People will talk for decades about the Barcelona team that Pep had. That is what he can create at City.

“And I don’t think people will ­remember the European final that Manchester United won against Ajax.

“It’s very easy to play with five at the back and drop the defenders to within 20 metres of your goalkeeper.

“Barcelona played the most difficult game and were still ­Champions League winners. People say the defence was weak. It wasn’t. They played special football and they were loved for it.

“And Pep will create this at City.”