Sports
United always a ‘tough’ opponent, warns Guardiola
Last time the two teams met, City beat United to lift the FA Cup
October 28, 2023 | 12:01 AM
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said Manchester United are always a "tough opponent" despite their struggles as he prepares his team for tomorrow’s derby clash.United have steadied the ship with unconvincing wins over Brentford, Sheffield United and FC Copenhagen in their past three games after losing six of their first 10 matches in all competitions this season.Scoring goals has been a particular problem, with new striker Rasmus Hojlund yet to find the net in the Premier League and Marcus Rashford looking a shadow of the player who scored 30 times last season. However, Guardiola is still wary of the individual quality United possess."United always have been – it doesn’t matter the manager – always they are a tough opponent," he said at his pre-match press conference. "The qualities of the individuals they have, the stadium, the character they have, the momentum. They can score goals, we know the quality they have. Always that has been and always it will be."City returned to winning ways by beating Brighton 2-1 last weekend after losing consecutive Premier League games for the first time since 2018. Guardiola’s men are looking to become the first side to win four consecutive English top-flight titles and remain well-placed, just two points behind surprise early leaders Tottenham.The last time the two teams met, in June, City beat United to lift the FA Cup, completing the second leg of a treble. Guardiola acknowledged there is far less on the line this weekend, but is keen to see how his side respond to the challenge posed by travelling to Old Trafford."It is a game not like an FA Cup final or last games of the season that defines winning or not the Premier League. Still we have only played nine fixtures and there are 87 points to play. We have to be focused," he said."It’s too early. All the teams are there and the teams behind can be there. When you play just nine games many things will happen. We have been behind by a few points in February and March and then we were able to win. I want to see how is our mentality on Sunday in Old Trafford. We have won a lot. It’s not about if we win now what is going to happen (in the future). I want to see the right mentality to play for these points."United players behind Garnacho over gorilla emoji post: Ten HagMeanwhile, Erik ten Hag said on Friday that the Manchester United squad are behind Alejandro Garnacho as the Argentina winger faces a potential ban for a social media post in which he used gorilla emojis. The 19-year-old uploaded a photo on X, formerly known as Twitter, of United players celebrating with Cameroon international Andre Onana after their 1-0 Champions League win against Copenhagen in midweek, using the emojis.The post was quickly deleted and Onana, who had saved a late penalty at Old Trafford, subsequently defended his teammate, whom he said was trying to express "power and strength", adding "this matter should go no further".But the Football Association has punished players in the past for making racial references on social media and is understood to have sought Garnacho’s observations. Former United striker Edinson Cavani was banned for three games and fined £100,000 in 2020 for using the Spanish term "negrito" (small black person) below an Instagram post.The previous year Bernardo Silva was given a one-match ban and fined by the FA for a tweet he posted comparing teammate Benjamin Mendy with a black cartoon character. Ten Hag appeared to be relaxed about the situation on Friday "Not (concerned about a ban) in this moment," he said. "We are talking with the FA. But what you see and I can confirm that and I want to emphasise, we are together, we are United and we have seen that in the post of Andre Onana."On the derby against City, the Dutch manager said: "It’s so huge because it’s Manchester, internal. But I think it’s also about world football and all the eyes will be on this game global-wide. In this moment they’re six points ahead, we’re six points back, so we have to catch up. We know we have to progress the team."The midfield battle looks key and Ten Hag said his side could be missing Casemiro for a third straight game, with an ankle injury sustained on Brazil duty putting his place in jeopardy. "Aaron (Wan-Bissaka is back) in training today and Case is a race against the clock," Ten Hag said. "No, not 100 percent."FixturesToday: Chelsea v Brentford (1130), Arsenal v Sheffield United, Bournemouth v Burnley (both 1400), Wolves v Newcastle (1630)Tomorrow: West Ham v Everton (1300), Aston Villa v Luton, Brighton v Fulham, Liverpool v Nottingham Forest (all 1400), Manchester United v Manchester City (1530)
October 28, 2023 | 12:01 AM