Now that both managers have talked, let’s take a look at the fitness and injury situations for both sides in the Manchester Derby on Sunday. Here’s an update on the earlier injury/fitness report we did two days ago. Let’s start with the team that’s favored- the blue side of Manchester.
City boss Pep Guardiola (you can view his press conference video at this link) has confirmed that David Silva is recovered from the slight injury that ruled him out of the Wednesday loss to Shakhtar Donetsk in UEFA Champions League action.
“He’s going to play,” said Guardiola. “After the game he had a bit of doubt that’s why I said it, but today he arrived and said he’s really good so he’s going to play.”
Earlier this week, United manager Jose Mourinho had been vocal about his disbelief in the seriousness of Silva’s injury and his strong belief that the attacking mid would take participate in the derby.
Meanwhile Vincent Kompany and Fabian Delph face late fitness tests. Kompany felt discomfort in midweek, and thus missed out on the loss to Shakhtar.
“Vincent, before the game against Shakhtar, felt something. He was not comfortable and couldn’t play. Delph was sick, vomit and fever the day before,” Guardiola said.
“The only guys who didn’t play because they needed a rest were Kyle Walker and Nico Otamendi. Today they are off so I don’t know, but tomorrow we will check how the conditions are.”
Flipping over to the red side of Manchester now, Nemanja Matic is injured, but he will still play. Michael Carrick and Eric Bailly remain out of action, while Phil Jones and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are back in action. Marouane Fellaini faces a race to kickoff in order to reach match fitness in time.
Mourinho gave the following update at his news conference (video at this link): “Zlatan is available, Jones is available, Fellaini I have to wait. Carrick is not available, Bailly is not available. Matic is injured but he plays.”
“It is one more big match against one of the best teams in the country, the first against the second, big match.”
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, MCFC 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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