Pep Guardiola has paid tribute to Zlatan Ibrahimovic as a player while expressing disappointment at the way the striker has used the media to air his grievances instead of fronting up.

The Manchester City manager has history with Ibrahimovic, a player he will encounter on Saturday at Old Trafford in his first Manchester derby. Guardiola moved the Swede out while at Barcelona and Ibrahimovic appears to be doing his best to continue a simmering feud, with attacks on the Spaniard’s management style in his autobiography that have been widely publicised over the past few days.

“Ibrahimovic used his book to explain what he believes, he had some things to say,” Guardiola said. “Always I was clear. Whatever I said to him I spoke face to face. I never used the media to explain what I wanted from him on the pitch.”

When the discussion turned to the former Sweden forward’s ability, Guardiola was much more conciliatory. “I have a lot of respect for Zlatan and what he has done in the football world and his career,” Guardiola said. “He has had a big impact everywhere he has been and he is an amazing talent, one of the best around. The best players always have an impact. The big players always bring their talent to a club immediately. You can see they don’t need time to adapt to a new league or understand another country.”

Guardiola has also attempted to play down his supposed feud with José Mourinho, saying he will join the United manager for a drink after the game if Mourinho makes the offer. “If he invites me to do that I will accept,” he said. “I have said many times I have a lot of respect for him. I always try to learn from all my colleagues and opponents and I learn from him as well.

“José was my coach when he was assistant to Bobby Robson. The last meeting in Madrid with Barcelona was not easy but we met each other two or three weeks ago at a Premier League managers get-together and we spoke with each other, and with Ronald Koeman and Tony Pulis. So it was OK. The rivalry between us is more in the media.”

It was put to Guardiola that great sporting rivalries – motor racing, tennis and boxing were mentioned – often inspire participants to ever greater heights. “I am sorry I cannot agree with that,” he said. “You may be right in general but the thing about José and myself is we don’t play. This game belongs to the players, not to the managers. The media puts far too much importance on what managers say, when managers prefer to speak through their players. All those people at Old Trafford for the game will not be there to see the two managers on the sidelines – they will be watching the big fantastic players on the pitch.”

The goalkeeper Claudio Bravo will make his debut following his £17m move from Barcelona, though Ilkay Gündogan and Leroy Sané are unlikely to be risked while Vincent Kompany needs more time. “Vincent is training but we are waiting for a blood test to come back from the doctor,” Guardiola said. “We don’t want to take too much risk about what happened in the past. We want to make sure when he comes back he is 100% fit.”

Sergio Agüero is suspended and the 19-year-old Nigeria international Kelechi Iheanacho is most likely to replace the striker. Guardiola said: “Sergio is an important player for us but we knew seven or eight days ago he was not going to be able to play. I am a new guy here and I have to learn how things work but you can be sure I learn quick. I take note of what happened and store it for the future.”

Guardiola also has the option of using the resurgent Raheem Sterling as a central striker. “I think he can do that if we need him to, as long as we let him move between the lines and don’t ask him to get on the end of crosses”. Sterling, playing in his usual position as a winger, won the Premier League player of the month award for August.

“Congratulations,” Guardiola said. “Now I would like him to try to be the best player in the next month as well. The past is the past – it doesn’t count any more.”