“We play now with a second man behind Zlatan”, Mourinho said.
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Do you agree or have they missed the mark?
Ibrahimovic made his feelings plain in his autobiography, calling Guardoila “a spineless coward”, but ahead of the season’s first derby at Old Trafford the Catalan spoke in glowing terms both of his former striker and his old Real Madrid rival Jose Mourinho. A video footage showing Ibrahimovic applauding Rashford’s skills went viral after the game. There is an nearly sibling-like animosity about them, one borne from the time they were both at Barcelona and Mourinho has never quite gotten over being overlooked for the Barcelona manager’s job that went to Guardiola. And of course, the bragging rights.
On the flip side, Aguero’s absence from the match has come as a big disappointment to City fans and accepted with open arms by the team in red.
“Games like this mean a lot”, he said, “and it doesn’t come bigger than a derby”.
“I want the ball, I want to attack as much as possible, I want to control the game and I want to concede few counter-attacks”, Guardiola said on Friday.
“One thing if he decides to play with (Kelechi) Iheanacho, another thing if he decides to play with (Raheem) Sterling. I hope one day Guardiola has the chance of winning a brilliant, clean championship with no scandal”.
FAVOURITE MAN UNITED VS MAN CITY MOMENT: Michael Owen’s 96 minute victor in 2009…
Eric Bailly becomes the first award victor of the season in the programme organised and run by New African Soccer, an award scheme that is into its third consecutive season to date.
As for Abu Dhabi, the matches are screened at Coopers Bar in the Park Rotana. “But this is too early – we are in the first week of September”.
“So they have so many options that for us in the preparation of the game we have to go step by step”.
Below is the Preview of the Manchester United vs Manchester City derby clash…
When asked about the player’s comments, Guardiola said: “He explained in his book what he believes”, said Guardiola, “But always I was clear, I spoke with him always face-to-face”.
Willy Caballero who played in goal in the three matches so far hardly looks worthy of being in the starting XI and has looked shaky and Claudio Bravo who arrived from Barcelona is likely to start and it will be a baptism of fire for the Chilean keeper. Find out on Saturday. Hull secured an impressive opening day 2-1 win over Champions Leicester, and 2-0 away to Swansea in which centre-back Davies claimed an assist.
PLAYER TO WATCH: David Silva.
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United go into the game with a fully fit squad after the global break, with Luke Shaw, Marouane Fellaini and Henrikh Mkhitaryan all overcoming injury concerns this week.
