Manchester United against City can be a joy ride even if Jose Mourinho's Red Devils park the bus in Sunday's clash

  • Jose Mourinho may park the bus, but that doesn’t mean we’re in for a dull match
  • United will try to shut the game down, yet they pack a punch on the break 
  • Arsenal learned how United can absorb huge pressure and then counter strike 

Jose Mourinho may try to park the bus, but that doesn’t mean we’re in for a boring match. United will try to shut the game down, yet they pack a punch on the break. Their victory over Arsenal resembled a PlayStation game!

Mourinho might see that as one of his best matches. He executed his game plan, pressing high and winning the ball back well. United spent most of the game covering up — with shots raining down on David de Gea’s goal — but won it with two big punches in the first 11 minutes and a hay-maker in the second half.

They can pose problems with their aerial threat but balls into the channels will be just as testing. It will be interesting to see if Mourinho uses Jesse Lingard to break on City. Pep Guardiola’s side will look to counter-attack on United’s breaks and it could turn into a cracker.

Jose Mourinho may try to park the bus, but that doesn’t mean we’re in for a boring match

Jose Mourinho may try to park the bus, but that doesn’t mean we’re in for a boring match

United must step it up but will enjoy being at home. They have had an extra day’s rest and stayed in Manchester while City had a 4,000-mile round trip to Ukraine. I remember facing Shakhtar Donetsk in a similar dead rubber.


We lost, and I was scratching my head as to why I was there. Fernandinho and Leroy Sane and Ederson played and the flight can take a lot out of you. Guardiola may also regret playing Ederson, who was at fault for Shakhtar’s second goal.

City have an eight-point lead, but last weekend Mourinho sent a message that United are still pushing their rivals in this title race.

United will try to shut the game down, yet they pack a punch on the break - as Arsenal learned

United will try to shut the game down, yet they pack a punch on the break - as Arsenal learned