Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and his City counterpart Pep Guardiola are not that dissimilar, according to former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.
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One of the most talked about Premier League matches of all-time saw Roberto Mancini’s side serve up a hammering to United at Old Trafford.
Mourinho said that so early in a long season no match, even one against City, was more important than any other.
The pair won the Serie A title together at Inter in 2008-09 before Ibrahimovic joined Barcelona.
“These games always mean so much to the fans and we want to win for them, but the players must always be focused”.
Indeed, Mourinho already appears to have succeeded in restoring the sense of confidence and swagger that deserted the Old Trafford club following the departure of Sir Alex three years ago.
“For us, it is a game, for me especially it is a game”.
Mourinho said he was more concerned with City’s players than Guardiola.
Both Manchester clubs – along with Chelsea – have started with a flawless three wins from three games in the Premier League and, while it is early days, the table suggests City have the greater scoring power after netting nine goals compared to United’s six, but have United the better defence after conceding just one to City’s three. It’s a very good team.
“He’s one of the best players and of course the best players impact the way they arrive in the clubs with the talent immediately”. It is clear that they have many options.
United were pushing to secure a top four finish and they needed to see off their local rivals to cement their Champions League return.
It is three years since they last shared a touchline and Saturday’s clash at Old Trafford marks the resumption of a duel that could determine the outcome of the Premier League title race.
But the City manager will go into his first meeting with former Real Madrid nemesis Mourino since 2013 without Sergio Aguero.
“When Aguero is available, we know Aguero plays”.
“They have that charisma, that special thing, when they get in a room everyone knows the boss is there, we have to listen to him. Nobody has doubts”, Mourinho said.
“In this moment, he doesn’t play”. (Guardiola) can have many decisions, different decisions.
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However, this term he is clearly an integral part of Mourinho’s plans and has played every single minute of the Portuguese mentor’s reign, and he has looked extremely comfortable in his midfield role so far. “It’s more hard. It looks a little bit of a contradiction, but without Aguero it is more hard”.
