Jose Mourinho accuses Manchester City of strategic fouling as United boss draws attention to tactical ploy ahead of derby: 'The referee has to do his job'

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Jose Mourinho has cranked up the pressure on Manchester City for a final time ahead of Sunday's derby by accusing Pep Guardiola's team of strategic fouling.

While the Premier League leaders have won plaudits for their thrilling attacking play this season, Mourinho insists he is aware of a pre-determined plan whereby City deliberately concede quick free-kicks in the opposition half when they fear they are vulnerable to counter-attacks.

City have collected 42 yellow cards this season — more than any of their big six rivals — despite dominating possession more than any other team.

United boss Jose Mourinho has took a shot at rivals City ahead of Sunday's Manchester derby

Mourinho claimed City are experts at strategic fouling, which helps them kill counter-attacks

'It is a strategy they have. Many times they need what is called a tactical foul and then it is up to the referee to analyse and make a decision,' said Mourinho, who was quick to state he was not putting pressure on this weekend's official Michael Oliver.

Stars like Kevin De Bruyne and Fernandinho are apparently experts at interrupting play if they lose possession on the edge of the opposition box.

'They put lots of people in attacking areas,' Mourinho explained. 'They attack with a lot of players.

'When they lose the ball, they are many times unbalanced in numbers, they have lots of people surrounding the ball area and they have a very strong – and this is a great quality – transition in the next few seconds after they lose the ball.

'My answer always has to be, "the referee has to do his job" and I cannot speak about the referee.'

City have been shown 42 yellow cards this season - more than any of the other big six

Michael Oliver takes charge of Sunday's game and Mourinho said 'the referee has to do his job'