Today’s the day friendships are put aside for at least 90 minutes… It’s the day in which the result can decide whether you can brave going into work on Monday morning… It’s the day that decides who is the pride of Manchester.
Of course, throughout the week, you’ve been reading and hearing the thoughts of our boys in blue. Let’s take a look at what’s being said about today’s huge meeting across the city…
As Pep Guardiola did yesterday, Reds boss Jose Mourinho addressed the media in a press conference.
As ManUtd.com report, he said: “My message to the players is our identity. It is about what we are.
“We have to try to be in every game what we are. We are more important than our opponents. The way we play is more important than the way our opponents play. We have to think about ourselves, focus on ourselves.
“A game like I want them to play always is to play in the limits like we did against Hull. That was a great example of that. It was a very difficult match and the team played in the limits and tried until the last seconds. That’s the Man United I want to have.”
In terms of team news, he added he has no injury concerns.
“I’m not saying Micki [Henrikh Mkhitaryan] is ready to play 90 minutes but he is ready to help us. There are no injuries. Everybody is available.”
United midfielder Michael Carrick expressed his excitement, declaring: “It’s a big derby, it’s a huge derby.
“For both teams, you’re talking about [landing] blows. It’s two new managers and two teams coming from different directions and looking to be clashing at the top. Both teams want to win the league. So yes, it’s a big game in that sense.”
“This game is for here and now, the excitement of now and the buzz that it’s going to give everyone surrounding the game. Whoever comes out on top is going to get a boost from it, of course they are, but that’s still not going to tell you who’ll win the league.”
Meanwhile, former Red Gary Neville insists John Stones will have his hands full, marking Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Quoted in an article on Squawka’s website, he states: “He will struggle to handle Ibrahimovic’s strength one on one, but that’s where he needs to be clever and accept that he’s not going to be able to win every ball and drop off him,” Neville said in an interview with Sky Sports.
“The main thing for Stones will be marking Zlatan in the box when the crosses are coming in because he’s a huge threat.
“That’s the real challenge for Stones, marking Ibrahimovic body-to-body and dealing with his physicality.”
When asked how his former club can beat City, he replied: “If I was in the United dressing room I’d be looking at the way Guardiola teams always play and I’d be thinking of disruption.
“Create some disruption. Slow the game down, win free-kicks, create spikes in the game, create an emotion in the crowd and disturb what City want to do because, ultimately, you can concentrate on your own game but when you’re playing against a fantastic opponent you have to deal with them.
“United cannot let City build up that rhythm in the game, kill the crowd and control the possession.”
What would you say to our boys before kick-off? How do you think the game will pan out? Let us know your thoughts on Twitter with #cityview and cast your predictions in the City Matchday app. Come on, City!
