Ahead of the circus, I mean Manchester Derby 😅, both managers spoke about what is going to be a massive game. The two clubs are in different but equally difficult positions.
City's boss spoke about how there is a bit of change in United's approach under the new boss and hinted that there is a chance that he could copy a tactic of the United manager's.
Guardiola already sees Ruben Amorim's influence on United despite him only being in charge for three weeks. He says that the patterns, movements, running and pace is all clear to see in such a short space of time. "He [Amorim] will do a good job at United. I'm pretty sure of that."
With the two managers having faced off not so long ago in the Champions League when Amorim was in charge of Sporting, Guardiola says that he would like for his team to play in the same way as they did in that game even though they were defeated 4-1. "I would like to play the game like we did in Lisbon tomorrow."
Pep has some injury concerns at the back with the possibility of just three defenders available for the derby. That is obviously problematic for a team that usually play four in defence. To this, Guardiola said that it is possible for his side to go five at the back and use wing-backs similarly to what Amorim does with his formations.
Pep's team news is that all three of Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake and John Stones could be out with Rico Lewis definitely unavailable because ofsending off in City's 2-2 draw at Palace last weekend. This is for a player that Guardiola himself says has been one of City's most consistent players this season. Rodri and Oscar Bobb are the obvious absentees.
Final Thoughts
For Pep to already be seeing the influence of Amorim on United is a good thing and it's something that we've all seen as his impact has been somewhat instant even if results and performances aren't where it should be.
The patterns and movements is something that United have changed since the Portuguese's appointment as there is a lot of that with a 3-4-3 formation. We've seen the improvements of players like Amad, Mount, Ugarte and Hojlund who look to be settling quite well in a new formation. This along with Guardiola's words will obviously be something that Amorim will be happy to hear if he did pay attention to his opposite number for tomorrow's game.
Then again, in his presser, Amorim said that he is just focused on United, not really on the opponent and that although it is a big match, it is just another game for him and the club.
Interestingly, Pep said something similar at the start of his presser which I didn't include here but you can watch it on BeanymanSports.
Both managers perhaps with the same ideas then?
Speaking of which, saying that he could maybe use five at the back for the derby given City's injury issues is maybe a form of flattery to Amorim because that is exactly what he does in terms of formation. Maybe this is one time where Guardiola may copy another manager instead of it being the other way round.
Maybe this was something that Pep had in mind to do anyway because of their lack of defenders but it is a little coincidental that he said that this is something they could try for this particular game as City have had their defensive issues for a while.
We'll have to wait and see.
Of course, of all this could just be Pep playing some mind games as we know he can be quite the kiss ass when it comes to talking positively about other managers. He's done this a lot when it comes to United since he joined City in 16/17.
Saying that he would like to see City play as they did in the 4-1 loss not so long ago may sound silly but they weren't actually too bad in that game. The score line may suggest otherwise but City particularly in the first half, were very good. Thanks to some good saves and poor finishing (including a penalty miss by the robot), Guardiola walked away with a spanking.
City had 20 shots to 9 for Sporting, both with 6 on target but uncharacteristically of Sporting, they had just 27% possession which despite coming up against one of the better sides in Europe, was way too less for Amorim's liking. He even said after that win that this type of defensive, counter-attacking, transitional approach is not something you can do at United. He was already announced as the manager of MUFC by the time of Sporting's 4-1 triumph over City.
Both managers with contrasting opinions of that game. You'd almost think City won 4-1 and Amorim was trounced with they way they spoke.
But to be honest though, I don't think Amorim would've taken much notice of what Pep said. I think he is just focused on United because so far, I don't think we've been anywhere near the level he might have been hoping for.
The expectation wasn't high, but holy fuck. That's probably along the lines of his thought process at the moment.
This will probably be one of the more interesting derbies in a long time for different reasons.
Background Image: Pep Guardiola | Image credit: Getty Images via Goal