It’s an absolutely blockbuster Manchester Derby taking place this Sunday, and naturally this fixture is dominating global football headlines today. So let’s dive right in and look at what Manchester United and Manchester City news topics are trending right now.
Multiple reports indicate that David Silva is a strong doubt for City, even though United boss Jose Mourinho has said publicly that he disputes the veracity of this narrative.
City may recall team captain Vincent Kompany and midfielder Fernandinho after the duo rested in last weekend’s 2-1 win over West Ham United.
-One of the main storylines here is obviously United midfielder Paul Pogba, who is suspended for this one but did publicly outline how his team can achieve victory without him.
–Kevin De Bruyne, one of the most dominant players in all of the Premier League this season, is disappointed that he won’t get to play against Pogba in this one. It has been suggested that Pogba’s ban is karma for his extremely classless and grossly unprofessional comments that wished injury on Man City players.
However, the City attacking midfielder brushed off that idea.
“I don’t believe in that,” the Belgian international said. “I’m a very straightforward guy. If someone believes it is karma then OK. Everyone has their right to their opinion.
“I don’t want anyone to get injured. It’s a competition, you want to play against the best teams and the best players. I don’t care [what He can say whatever he wants. We just have to be focused on whatever we’re doing.”
-United midfielder Juan Mata said that City have not won the title just yet.
For the latest injury news, go to this link. It’s an early injury report, but we’ll have a second one for you tomorrow after the two manager press conferences. We’ll have also have video of both manager press conferences posted for you on Friday as well. Here is the link to our MUFC starting XI prediction.
-On a more light-hearted note, Henrikh Mkhitaryan has jokingly said, in reference to Zlatan Ibrahimovic that there is currently more than one god at Manchester United.
“Zlatan has a strong temper. Many people don’t agree with him. People do not understand or do not want to understand his jokes or what he’s talking about,” Mkhitaryan told Armenian State Radio (transcript Football 365)
“But I have had good relations with him from the first moment. We kept in touch even when he was recovering out of Manchester. Everyone knows Ibrahimovic calls himself the God. But when we landed in Rostov I told him: “You see who the real God is.”
“I’m joking. There were many Armenians chanting my name. After that he understood there is another God – me!”
Manchester Derby Odds: City- 11/10, Draw 13/5, United 12/5
Manchester Derby Prediction: United 1, City 1
I don’t expect Jose Mourinho to go all out and play extremely aggressive in this one, but I also don’t think he’ll park the bus either. In the end, I foresee a single point for each side.
As always, feel free to post your own MUFC starting XI and Manchester Derby score predictions in the comments section.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
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