Yaya Toure is certainly a polarizing figure, and he made comments today that will only further increase that polarization. It was a very dull to watch, but still very emotionally charged Manchester Derby this past Thursday, and Toure added more verbal kindling to the fire. Both sides are already very fired up due to the Sergio Aguero-Marouane Fellaini incident.
The Manchester City star called out Manchester United celebrating the goalless draw, and says that’s a badge of pride for how far City have now come.
“Yeah, it is a big change because in the past United were always able to dominate,” the Ivory Coast international told a group of journalists.
“They were always able to control and win games, and seeing the fans celebrating like that it shows that City have come close.
“Of course, the history and achievements of United is much stronger but we are coming. They know now we are difficult to play and they tried to do their best to defend and use the counter-attack. To be honest we played well but when you don’t win it is difficult to take it.”
Boom! Shots fired! First Fellaini vs Aguero now Toure’s respectfully throwing shade. Expect retaliation to this from someone in the United community.
Back in September of 2014, Manchester United icon, and member of the Class of ’92 Paul Scholes wrote in the Independent
” Yaya Toure ’s lack of defensive work in midfield has become a major problem for them.”
“The amount of time I saw opponents get in behind him in the game in Munich was quite remarkable. He just did not look interested. Alongside him, Fernandinho is having to do the work of two players defensively and against Bayern that was always going to cause City problems.
“If they have any chance of breaking through the last 16 in the Champions League this season then City need to play two holding midfielders who are prepared to work back, rather than just one. In that case, Pellegrini would be looking at either leaving out Toure or moving him further forward. He would have to play Fernando or James Milner alongside Fernandinho.
Paul Scholes later added: “Touré just seems to amble about. He might get away with that in the Premier League but there is no hiding place against the best teams in Europe.”
Don’t be surprised if someone in the United community hits back at Yaya Toure sometime this week.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes to WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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