Pep Guardiola insists Manchester City's celebrations after derby win over Man United were 'definitely not' over the top... despite 30-man brawl

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Pep Guardiola revealed he encourages Manchester City’s stars to celebrate exuberantly - but maintains they did not overstep the mark at Old Trafford.

City are set to offer their side of the events which marred victory at Manchester United to the Football Association on Tuesday and Guardiola insisted they did nothing wrong and will continue marking wins in a similar fashion.

Jose Mourinho and members of his squad became enraged by what they perceived to be over-zealous celebrations in the tunnel. 

Pep Guardiola insisted there was 'nothing exceptional' about his side's derby celebrations

Around 30 players and staff were embroiled in a brawl after the Manchester derby on Sunday 

The City squad celebrated wildly in the tunnel after their 2-1 victory at the home of their rivals

‘When we lose we have to accept the defeat and when we win then celebrate,’ Guardiola said. ‘We celebrated in Napoli - you have to do that. I encourage them and it is what we did.

‘What happened (after) hopefully won’t happen again. The situation at Old Trafford when you go to the home locker room you have to pass the away one, but we were inside celebrating.

‘It wasn’t anything exceptional. It was what we did last season in the past and what we will do in the future. But always we respect our opponents because we go on the pitch.

‘The images can speak for themselves, what happened after the game, David Silva shook the hands of the opponents and then went to the fans in front.

‘It was a normal celebration and after we did it, with more happiness in our locker room. We have huge respect for our opponents, not just for Manchester United. All the opponents.’

Jose Mourinho confronted the visitors as they toasted their win in the away dressing room

United's players believed City 'rubbed their noses in defeat' by 'whooping and cheering'

Some joyous City players - including Kyle Walker and goalkeeper Ederson - were photographed making their way towards the away dressing room.

Asked if the celebrations after that were too much Guardiola replied: ‘No, definitely not. Believe me definitely not. It was the same at the Southampton game.

‘We won a derby against Manchester United. At that the moment the biggest rival we have to win it. So people expect we are not going to celebrate? No. We celebrate.

‘When United win a derby they celebrate, when Arsenal wins against United they celebrate. When United win or Arsenal win their FA Cup last season they celebrate. But where? Inside the locker room. That’s what we do and we did.'

Minutes later, Mourinho aimed a dig at City by saying the difference between his team and Guardiola’s is ‘a question of behaviour and diversity’.

In a tense, and terse, press conference, Mourinho appeared to question City’s standards in the wake of the trouble that erupted after the final whistle at Old Trafford. 

The Manchester United manager deflected most of the questions about the derby bust-up

Guardiola again wore a yellow ribbon on his top, in support of imprisoned Catalan politicians

United’s players have privately accused City of a lack of class in the days since their exuberant celebrations sparked a melee in the corridor outside both dressing-rooms. The FA have asked both clubs for their observations as part of an investigation.

Mourinho was reluctant to get embroiled in a war of words with Guardiola. When informed that the City boss had addressed the issue in his press conference, Mourinho replied: ‘He says, he says. I'm not here to comment on his words.

‘The only thing I can say is that for me it was just a question of diversity, diversity in behaviours, diversity in education, just that and nothing more than that.’ 

Victory at the home of their rivals took City 11 points clear of United at the top of the table and led to wild celebrations among the visiting players on Sunday.

After hearing music blaring from the away dressing room Mourinho entered the visiting camp. He was confronted by City goalkeeper Ederson and their heated altercation prompted the fracas.

Following their win at Old Trafford, City will look to extend their run of 14 straight wins at the Liberty Stadium on Wednesday. Ahead of the game the City boss was still sporting a yellow ribbon in support of imprisoned Catalan politicians, despite Mourinho's claims that he would be punished for making such a political statement.