Speaking to MUTV, Jose Mourinho said, “It’s not the same as if we were here all week and working, resting and not traveling, but there are no injuries and everybody has returned safely and on time for at least one training session”. I always try to learn from all my colleagues and opponents and I learn from him as well. The rivalry is more in the media.
Advertisement
Antonio Valencia, Sergio Romero and Marcos Rojo have all been away on global duty, recently returning to Manchester ahead of Saturday’s derby clash with Pep Guardiola’s men.
“This game belongs to the players, it doesn’t belong to me and Jose”.
‘Manchester City spent the money to bring their players on direct flights from Venezuela – or maybe they sent one of the planes from the owner. “The big players don’t have to understand the league or need time”.
An $800 million cast of global superstars will take the field for the Manchester derby in the English Premier League on Saturday.
“Sergio and Marcos, they went around the globe”, said the United manager. Kelechi Iheanacho might play up front and he has plenty of talent but he is not in Aguero’s league as a game changer just yet. He is one of the best players and the best players they have an impact. However, if Mourinho is to close that gap, then the key to that goal will be whether captain Wayne Rooney starts at Old Trafford this weekend.
Guardiola also revealed that Ilkay Gundogan is getting closer to full fitness as he looks to make his debut having overcome a niggling knee injury that he’s had since his days with previous club Borussia Dortmund – although the midfielder isn’t expected to start tomorrow.
Pep Guardiola doesn’t want his relationship with Jose Mourinho overshadowing football in Manchester.
“He is fit, he is ready”.
Yet the 45-year-old is keen to experience the atmosphere first-hand for himself before comparing it with other derbies he has experienced in world football. It is no problem. We know their formation, we know their dynamics and nobody has doubts – when a player like him is ready, he plays.
“Kompany is training but we are waiting for the blood test to be sure”. We don’t want to take too much risk after what happened in the past.
Advertisement
Mourinho claimed the likes of Nicolas Otamendi and Pablo Zabaleta came straight back to Manchester after performing for Argentina, and hinted it gave them an advantage.
