Another dull boring international break will soon be upon us (well, the Wayne Rooney Foundation International is an interesting story line), but before it arrives comes a blockbuster of a match, the Manchester Derby. Here are some of the news and notes surrounding the headliner fixture of the Premier League weekend.
Paul Pogba is now a doubt for this match as he missed training on Friday. The midfielder provides a late injury scare for United and could possibly move the betting lines, already in City’s favor, even more towards their direction.
In staying with Pogba, whether he plays or not, he’ll be partying in Paris after the game. Joining him will be teammate Anthony Martial as well as City’s Benjamin Mendy. According to ESPN, they’ll be hopping in a private jet after the game and heading to the city of light to celebrate a friend’s birthday.
Manchester Derby FYIs
United Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
City Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Manager Press Conference Videos, Quotes: Pep Guardiola- go to this link,
Injury Report for Both Teams: go to this link
Shortly after Guardiola completed his press conference, City announced that winger Raheem Sterling has signed a three-year contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2023. The English international has been with the club since coming over from Liverpool in the summer of 2015.
“I’m delighted to sign. My development here has been incredible. I felt from the minute I got here it was the right choice for me. It’s really paid off for me and I’m really grateful,” said the stellar forward who has been involved in 40 goals since the start of last season.
“Every season you come in you want to do better than your previous season. You want to try and develop and get better,” Sterling continued.
“With the facilities we’ve got here there’s no reason not to. With the coaching staff and the players we have in this team it’s the perfect environment to develop and get better.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Lineups.com and Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.