Just hours ago, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho met the media to preview the blockbuster fixture of the weekend. It’s less than 48 hours now to the Manchester Derby, a game that could be the season definer for both sides. He covered a multitude of topics, including the magnitude of the match, the tremendous size and passion of the rivalry, and how both clubs came together through joint fundraising efforts after the terrorist bombing of the Manchester Arena.
For the video of City Manager Pep Guardiola’s press conference, go to this link.
Mourinho was also asked how he might approach this contest, but he refused to tip his hand, tactics wise.
“Football is unpredictable, you can try, you can try, me as a manager I can try to define a game plan, to work in a direction, but football is unpredictable, we don’t know what can happen,” he responded.
“There are so many things that are out of control that can totally transform the direction of the game. I wouldn’t risk saying what game we are going to have.”
The main topic of interest here, of course is the fitness report. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Phil Jones are a go, while Marouane Fellaini faces a late fitness test.
Here is the YouTube video of the full session with Jose Mourinho below: (The exchange around the 3:50 mark, about wearing a Zorro costume, is absolutely hilarious)
Manchester Derby Odds: City- 11/10, Draw 13/5, United 12/5
For the United starting XI prediction go to this link
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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