EPL: Pep Guardiola sweats over David Silva’s fitness ahead of Manchester derby

John Stones, Bacary Sagna and Fernandinho are also injury doubts, while it is not clear what role – if any – Gabriel Jesus might be able to play following his return from a broken foot.

Manchester United are without Paul Pogba due to a muscle injury, but Ander Herrera has overcome an ankle knock.

Jonathan is ESPN FC’s Manchester City correspondent. Otherwise, in this league, this season the name of the [top] team would not be Chelsea or Tottenham, or Arsenal or Liverpool.

“When we meet again (for pre-season) on 9 July they will be a stronger group. That’s why there is a little bit more here”. So it’s an unfair fight, but we are going for it. “I’m not interested in it, I don’t care about it“. It had to happen and it happened.

Jose Mourinho says Chris Smalling and Phil Jones still have futures at Manchester United despite accusing the pair of a “cautious” approach in their recovery from injury. This is not about myself and Guardiola.

“I am optimistic. I am so proud about what my players have done this season, what we are doing and even how we played the last game at Wembley”.

“The results are a fact, but the way we play every game, we should talk about”.

What happens if Manchester United win the Europa League and finish outside the top four? Pep Guardiola’s men however have a huge showdown on Thursday evening as Manchester United come to the Etihad. The team led by Hosepa Gvardioly produced victory – 1: 2.

City host Manchester United in Thursday night’s derby in fourth spot, a point and a place ahead of José Mourinho’s team. Mourinho has been a success wherever he has been – Portugal, England, Italy and Spain and he wants to be known and seen as the most successful club manager ever.

City’s solitary league defeat in 11 matches came at Chelsea earlier this month (W6, D4). In our opinion, the most likely outcome of this match is home win.

Zlatan, who has 28 goals in all competitions this season, signed a one-year deal worth £250,000-a-week last summer but there was the option of a further year if both sides agreed to the deal.

Aguero has scored eight goals in 10 appearances for City against Manchester United but hasn’t scored in the last two encounters. The Spaniard is United’s number one and he will nearly certainly keep his place tomorrow night, despite question marks surrounding his long-term future at the club.

Marouane Fellaini’s sending off late in the second half robs Manchester United of another body as the Premier League enters the stretch run.

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is fully focused on helping the club to win the Europa League and finish in the Premier League’s top four.