Ekun Samuel, 10 September 2016
Ahead of the Manchester derby at Old Trafford has been a huge hype, from both teams and the managers, especially the managers whom both took charge this season and have had 100% record so far.
Both managers are set to renew their rivalry, as it was in Spain with Pep in charge at Barcelona and Mou at Real Madrid. Jose Mourinho admitted in an interview that it seems all planned by Uefa as his side always go down by one man against Pep while Guardiola was in charge of Barcelona.
Now a new rivalry awaits both managers, regarded as the best managers in the world as they set to lock horns at Old Trafford for the first time ever since Mourinho left Real 2012. But Jose has played down the hype of both himself and Guardiola and the teams as well. Speaking in an exclusive interview with SkySport, he said;
"Barcelona is Barcelona, it's not Manchester City. Inter Milan and Real Madrid are not Manchester United.
"It's different players, different philosophies, different competitions.
"I can't see a point where there's any advantage or disadvantage because or teams have played so many times in the past."
Jose Mourinho knows too well the tactical approach Pep can bring to a game in other to change the rhythm and complexity of the game. Jose admitted Manchester City will be harder to beat without their top goalscorer Sergio Aguero, but has warned his rivals United are ready: 'We are fine, we are ready, we are waiting.'
Sergio Aguero was handed a three match ban by a panel set up by FA for a violent conduct on an elbow on West Ham player Winston Reid, and the suspension starts with the Manchester derby. Aguero has been in great form for City so far, three goals out of three games, and six overall in all competitions played so far.
Jose seems to be all nervous of how to tackle the next move and tactics of Pep Guardiola without Kun Sergio Aguero when interviewed on Friday, he said;
"It changes [for us] because it is more difficult. When Aguero is available, we know that he plays, we know their formation, and their dynamics.
"Nobody has doubts. If he is ready, he will play. But now he doesn't play, they have an amazing squad in terms of options and there are many things he [City manager Pep Guardiola] could do.
"He could decide to play with [Kelechi] Iheanacho or [Raheem] Sterling. He could decide to play with [David] Silva as a fake No. 9 between the lines. It is clear that they have many options.
"That for us, in the preparation of the game, makes us have to go step-by-step with every situation because we are trying to reduce the unpredictability of the game. To try to do this now is more difficult."
