Manchester City may be stronger without Aguero, says Mourinho

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Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has downplayed the importance of Sergio Aguero’s absence for Saturday’s derby.

Jose Mourinho has re-kindled his old rivalry with Pep Guardiola by suggesting to Sky Sports that Manchester City may actually be stronger without Sergio Aguero in their side for Saturday’s derby.

Aguero, who will miss the game due to a three-game suspension as a result of violent conduct, has scored five goals in his last four league appearances against the Red Devils.

The Argentine striker has also started the season in blistering form, scoring an impressive six goals in just his first three appearances in all competitions.

Now ahead of Saturday’s much-anticipated derby, Mourinho has claimed that Aguero’s absence has actually made it harder for the home team, due to the increased match preparation they have been forced to conduct.

“Yes, it [Aguero’s absence] changes, because it is more difficult,” Mourinho told Sky Sports when quizzed on the matter.

“When Aguero is available we know that Aguero plays. We know their formation and what their dynamic is. Nobody has doubts. When a player like him is ready he plays. At this moment he doesn’t play.”

There has been much debate as to how City will handle Aguero’s absence, with Kelechi Iheanacho widely expected to fill in for the striker in a like-for-like swap up front.

However, both Sterling and David Silva have also been reported to be willing to fill in in attack, with both possessing experience of having previously played through the centre as a ‘false nine’ – a role which Guardiola has utilised extensively in the past.

“They have a very rich squad full of options and now Guardiola can have many different decisions,” Mourinho added. “One thing is if he decides to play with Iheanacho. Another thing is if he decides to play with Sterling. Another one is for example if he decides to play with Silva as a fake number nine in between the lines.

“So they have so many options that for us in the preparation of the game we have to go step by step. We have to go situation after situation because we try to reduce the unpredictability of the game.

“We know they have so many options so to try to do that job for the players is more difficult. It looks a little bit of a contradiction but without Aguero it is more difficult.”

Mourinho also confirmed that both Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Marouane Fellaini had recovered from their respective injury concerns, and were both ready to feature against City.

“Everybody is available,” Mourinho told United’s official MUTV channel. “It’s not the same as if we were here all week and working, resting and not travelling, but there are no injuries and everybody has returned safely and on time for at least one training session. Everybody is ready and wants to play, of course.”