Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has respect for Zlatan Ibrahimovic as "one of the best players" despite their tempestuous year together at Barcelona.

Guardiola moved Ibrahimovic on to AC Milan on loan after the pair failed to see eye-to-eye at Camp Nou during the treble-winning 2009-10 season.

The 34-year-old former Sweden international took his rejection to heart, if subsequently labelling Guardiola as a "spineless coward" and "not a man" is anything to go by.

Ahead of Saturday's Manchester derby, Ibrahimovic's outspoken agent Mino Raiola chimed in with criticism of his own, but Guardiola praised the striker at his pre-match news conference.

"I have a lot of respect for what Zlatan has done for football," he said, acknowledging Ibrahimovic's impact of four goals in as many United appearances.

"He's one of the best players and, of course, the best players impact the way they arrive in the clubs with the talent immediately.

"Some players have to understand the league - the best players do it quickly and he's one of the best ones."