The Manchester United striker worked under Manchester City’s new manager during his year-long stay at Barcelona during the 2009/10 season.
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Man of the match De Bruyne, meanwhile, acknowledged that it was a tough test for City, despite their flying start.
All typical derby stuff, but United were losing their focus and Mourinho’s game-plan was shipping water.
A brace from Raheem Sterling, either side of Fernandinho’s header confirmed the Sky Blues’ place at the summit of the top-flight going into the clash.
After securing maximum points away to AFC Bournemouth and at home to Southampton, a solitary goal in injury-time from Marcus Rashford edged Mourinho’s men past Hull City at the KCOM Stadium, prior to the global break.
Guardiola was happy with his side’s performance as they bossed the game for large periods and withstood a late United barrage to claim three points.
“It has nothing to do with experience or age because you have the kid then in the second-half and the kid looked like he was playing in the Under-18s versus Salford City”, Mourinho said.
“Today we made a lesson with the ball”.
Rashford made a typically bold start, running deep into City territory before crossing for Ibrahimovic to volley over on 47 minutes. It required a studs-first challenge on Wayne Rooney to clear the ball and avoid a second major mistake.
And he also thought referee Mark Clattenburg should have awarded a spot-kick for a handball by Nicolas Otamendi, although the ball appeared to hit the City defender on the back.
Half-time substitute Marcus Rashford cuts inside from the left and sees his shot beat Claudio Bravo – but it took a touch off Ibrahimovic who had strayed offside.
The game was now end-to-end.
Jose will make sure his charges are well-organized, and hard to break down, and will look to counter at pace with the likes of Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial and Zlatan Ibrahimovic all in attack.
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City emerged victorious, but this rivalry will run and run this season and beyond.
