Mourinho hauled Mkhitaryan and Lingard off at half-time after both put in dismal first-half displays.
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Luke Shaw and AntonioValencia both start at full back despite concerns over their fitness, Chris Smalling remains on the bench alongside Morgan Schneiderlin and Marcus Rashford, whilst big-name arrivals Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic unsurprisingly start.
Despite their efforts neither side were able to find the energy to conjure another game-changing moment, giving Guardiola the bragging rights over Mourinho following their first taste of the Manchester derby.
“We started the game with players below the normal level”, he continued.
But, with City leading 2-0, the Chilean dropped the ball for United to score and nearly cost his side further goals.
Iheanacho, ensuring that suspended Sergio Aguero was not unduly missed up front, underlined City’s dominance, tapping home after De Bruyne’s 36th-minute left-footed strike had come back off the post.
Some Manchester United players were well below par in the loss to Manchester City said Jose Mourinho, who blamed himself for picking them. “We were in control, we were much more unsafe and we had chances to equalise and who knows what would have happened”.
“I could have taken players off after 20 minutes, but I wouldn’t want to do that because it would have killed them”.
José Mourinho who’s the new head coach of Manchester United said every player is available to play today.
What could have been if Claudio Bravo’s second half challenge on Wayne Rooney was punished? I’m very happy for my team because they worked very hard and I’m happy for the fans too.
“You need to be sharp the way you think and the way you play”. “Claudio Bravo is a penalty and a red card”.
“So it is my fault because I am the manager”. “Inside the box it has to be the same, but obviously even the best referees make mistakes”.
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Bravo is set to replace Willy Caballero against Manchester United as Guardiola dropped a hint that another one of his summer signings, Leroy Sane, will also make a belated first appearance.
