Pep Guardiola admitted he is unsure as to interim manager Michael Carrick’s tactics ahead of his Manchester City side’s visit to Old Trafford on Saturday. The Spaniard, taking part in his 27th Man...
Pep Guardiola admitted he is unsure as to interim manager Michael Carrick’s tactics ahead of his Manchester City side’s visit to Old Trafford on Saturday.
The Spaniard, taking part in his 27th Manchester derby, stressed the importance of focusing on his own team – one that is being stretched by numerous first-team injuries.
He said: “When you don’t have any info, you can’t give any info to the players – focus on yourself.
“You can have some idea on what Middlesbrough have done, or when Michael was here for a few games for United.
“But tactics about the players will be different to Middlesbrough. What they are going to do I don’t know.”
The City boss compared the situation to facing Chelsea after the departure of Enzo Maresca, highlighting the need for quick adaptation.
He said: “For example, recently against Chelsea with a new manager, the first half was completely different to the second, that’s why it’s a question of adapting and focusing on yourself.”
Although he has never faced Carrick as a manager, Guardiola spoke highly of him as a player, suggesting that those who play centrally often go on to become strong coaches.
“I would say maybe central defenders and holding midfielders, because of their position, have a better global vision than playing as a winger for example.
“I’m not saying that a winger cannot read the game perfectly but it’s different. All I can say is Michael as a player was extraordinary.”
Oscar Bobb and John Stones are both ruled out, while Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol are sidelined with longer-term injuries.
Guardiola said: “Without John [Stones], without Ruben [Dias], without Josko [Gvardiol], we’re in a difficult situation, not for one game, but for a long, long period.
“Ruben will be back soon, John hopefully – we’ll see but Josko, no.”
The City boss also confirmed that Omar Marmoush remains away on AFCON duty with Egypt, and will return after their third-place playoff match against the Ivory Coast.
Holding midfielder Nico Gonzalez is also a doubt, and will be assessed in Friday’s training session.
Category: General Sports
