Jose Mourinho has a full Manchester United squad at his disposal for today’s Manchester derby against City.
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Much of the build-up to the game in the media has focussed on Guardiola renewing his rivalry with Jose Mourinho in the opposition dugout, but the Spaniard was at pains to insist that the relationship between the two managers is cordial. The Portuguese accused referees of favouring Barcelona and even at one point poked Tito Vilanova, Guardiola’s former assistant, in the eye during a touchline brawl. They represent two very different schools of football thought: Guardiola with his possession and flexibility and high-flyers, and Mourinho looking to slow things down, playing more rigidly and with specific tasks for each player – but still perfectly willing to send his players racing ahead when the time is right.
Mourinho said he was more concerned with City’s players than Guardiola.
The duo featured for Argentina against Venezuela on Wednesday but took a convoluted route home, seemingly to Mourinho’s chagrin – especially as City duo Nicolas Otamendi and Pablo Zabaleta had direct flights back. “We can start some matches with a player in front of Zlatan”. “It feels a bit of a contradiction, but without Aguero it’s more hard”.
Doubts Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia have all been given the green light to play, while back-up goalkeeper Sergio Romero and defender Marcos Rojo are available despite only returning to Manchester on the eve of the game. The best players always have an impact. “You should always have to aim high and it all comes down to the amount of work you put in and the rewards you get back for that”.
“I am normal, I am normal”, Mourinho said.
Arsenal will host Southampton in a must win game in the Premier League for Wenger as he tries to prove his critics wrong. They won the title under Mancini, they won the title with Pellegrini. This season they are exactly the same as they have been – a very important title contender. “It is normal between managers and players you have more connections with some than others”.
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He said: “Hi guys, the derby is coming and I wanted to share this video with you”.
