Manchester City travel to Old Trafford for a monumental EFL Cup round of 16 tie with their bitter-rivals on Wednesday night.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has told the Express that he expects a reaction from Manchester United in Wednesday’s EFL Cup round of 16 tie, after Jose Mourinho’s stuttering Red Devils slumped to a chastening 4-0 defeat at Chelsea on Sunday.
Despite United being outclassed, outfought and outwitted during their humiliating weekend hammering at Stamford Bridge, Guardiola remains acutely aware of the quality the Red Devils possess amongst their ranks, and he has warned his side that they will be facing off against a wounded animal at Old Trafford.
Speaking to the Express, the former Barcelona manager said: “I always expect the best from United. They lost the last weekend. With the quality and experience of Jose [Mourinho] and the fact it is Manchester United that means a lot.
“In my experience, always it is a difficult team to face. It doesn’t matter how you play at Old Trafford it is always difficult.
“They are a physical team, really good on the counter attack with [Marcus] Rashford and [Anthony] Martial and strength and quality in the middle.
“They are a top team. They are six points behind [in the League] but six points is two games.
Premier League leaders City head into the tie in a derisory run of form themselves, after failing to win any of their last five fixtures in all competitions, however the colossal fixture provides Guardiola’s men with the perfect opportunity to get back on track by heaping the misery on their bitter Manchester rivals.
The Citizens will be without star midfield Kevin De Bruyne, after the Belgian international was ruled out of Wednesday’s game with a leg injury, whilst returning defender Vincent Kompany may not be risked after making his first Premier League start in over six-months during Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Southampton.
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