Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola called a truce with Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho as the pair prepare to renew their rivalry in the International Champions Cup.
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Guardiola and Mourinho have endured an often acrimonious relationship so far during their time in management, most notably during their time Spain, and they will lock horns once again less than a month into their respective reigns in Manchester.
A good result would go some way into convincing their huge Asian following that they are still the Manchester team to cheer despite the set back against BVB.
The shirt, which will cost £60 (or £65 for the long-sleeved version) was unveiled on the pre-season tour of China, the day after a 4-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund, and will be worn for the first time against Manchester City on Monday in Beijing.
And while Guardiola was keen to play down the long-held enmity between him and Mourinho – sparked during their days in charge of Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively – he admitted the pitch was a major concern.
“I don’t think I can analyse them (United’s players) with this difference of power”. Both teams switched training to the nearby Olympic Sports Centre on Sunday.
Guardiola said: “We didn’t see the pitch but there is a lot of water in the last days so we understand it’s not in a good condition but, OK, we’re going to adapt and adjust”. It’s only the second game for our preparation.
Spaniard Herrera, who has impressed in United’s first two games under Mourinho, says the new manager’s message has been very clear – he doesn’t want possession just for possession’s sake and wants to speed things up with more forward rather than sideways passes. And I feel we are going to create something good for this club, for this season.
‘The most important thing is not to be back as soon as possible.
“What happened with Vincent Kompany the last two years was so hard for him and the team”.
“The physio says he is ready but he needs to show that he can play one week, then one week more, to play regularly”, said Guardiola.
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“If it’s for Sunderland, perfect”. When he first burst onto the scene for PSV Eindhoven, his “x-factor” was his ability to beat his defender with trickery and blistering pace from nearly a standing start.
