The Manchester derby is always a fascinating game. A battle that was once in complete control of the Red Devils has flipped in recent years – with the rise of the Citizens, from foreign ownership to the arrival of Pep Guardiola – and in recent years has become a game where the team in azure is with its hand on the top, usually. Tomorrow (Wednesday), the teams will meet in the League Cup semi-finals.
Pep Guardiola will miss Ederson, Gabriel Jesus, Kyle Walker, Eric Garcia and Fran Torres in the derby, who were also absent 1-3 at Chelsea due to the Corona virus. Phil Foden, Riyad Mahraz, Con Aguero and Kevin de Bruyne are expected to open in the Spaniard’s 11.
“We don’t have a lot of players for the derby,” he said Guardiola“Playing one or two games in this squad is fine, but over time we will not be able to use only 14 or 15 players. It will be more difficult.”
“Aguero is still not 100% qualified, but we have to adapt to the situation. We have no other alternative. The important thing is that the players who are sick in Corona are recovering. The rest have to be careful because there are risks.”
On the negotiations with de Bruyne over the contract extension, Pep said: “I’m pretty sure he will stay, I’m not worried. He knows how much we value him as a footballer and as a person and how important he is to the club. There are negotiations and the process must be respected. ”
And what about United? Last season the Red Devils lost in the quarterfinals, 1: 2 to Bristol City, and the coach Ola-Gunnar Solskjaer Expressed hope that this time the script will be different: “It will be a very big step to get our hands on the title. We have developed a lot in the last year. It is not only a matter of winning the semi-finals, but also our ability and confidence, so no excuses.”
“Playing football to win titles, to lift the trophy, even though when you win, you already think about the next one. But it gives hunger to win the most. The staff is focused, willing to give it their all and well prepared for the game.” The Reds will hope to bring the ability from the league to the cup after achieving three wins in the last four games.
Manchester United will arrive without Edinson Cavani, who despite being one of the players’ union in Uruguay, is still serving a suspension, and the Norwegian said: “We are disappointed he will not be in the game. It’s a very good situation to be in. “
Also, Manchester United are expected to come up with a strong squad that will include Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandez and Paul Pogba.