Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho rubbishes claim that derby will be about giants vs genius: 'I think it will be easy for Vincent Kompany to compete against Juan Mata in the air'

  • Manchester United host local rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday
  • Pep Guardiola has told his side to restrict the number of freekicks they concede
  • But Jose Mourinho rubbished the idea United's height will be a crucial factor
  • ‘We are a better team than last year... (but) I think City is also better,' he added

Jose Mourinho has dismissed suggestions that the Manchester derby at Old Trafford will be a battle of United’s giants against City’s genius.

City have been vulnerable at set-pieces in recent games and Pep Guardiola has told his players to restrict the number of freekicks they give away to a United side that could include a number of six-footers in Romelu Lukaku, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Chris Smalling, Nemanja Matic, Marouane Fellaini and Phil Jones.

When the height issue was put to Mourinho at his pre-match press conference, the United boss chose to look at the other side of the coin.

Jose Mourinho has dismissed the notion the derby will be about giants versus genius

Jose Mourinho has dismissed the notion the derby will be about giants versus genius

Mourinho joked that it will be easy for Vincent Kompany to compete with United's Juan Mata

Mourinho joked that it will be easy for Vincent Kompany to compete with United's Juan Mata

United hold a height advantage across the squad over their arch rivals City

United hold a height advantage across the squad over their arch rivals City

‘I think it will be easy for (Vincent) Kompany to compete against (Juan) Mata in the air,’ he said sarcastically.


Mourinho was reluctant to try and predict how the game would go, with many believing that United will be cautious and look to hit City on the break.

‘Football is unpredictable,’ he added. ‘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. 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.

‘We are a better team than last year, no doubts about it, I think City is also a better team than last season. I think we can (win the league) but I think other teams can be champions.'

 ‘We are a better team than last year, no doubts about it,' said the United manager

 ‘We are a better team than last year, no doubts about it,' said the United manager

Mata, who is 5ft 5.5in, is nine inches smaller than the Manchester City captain Komany

Mata, who is 5ft 5.5in, is nine inches smaller than the Manchester City captain Komany

The two sides clash at Old Trafford on Sunday in a battle of first against second in the league

The two sides clash at Old Trafford on Sunday in a battle of first against second in the league

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