Wayne Rooney has written in The Times that Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez could destroy Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United in the Manchester derby today.
Manchester City will take on Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League this afternoon.
United legend Rooney believes that City manager Pep Guardiola will include the £120,000-a-week (Spotrac) Mahrez in the starting lineup.
The DC United manager thinks that the 31-year-old Algeria international will start on the right flank and will target United left-back Tyrell Malacia.
Wayne Rooney on Riyad Mahrez for Manchester City v Manchester United
Rooney wrote: “You have to stop Kevin De Bruyne and I have a feeling Riyad Mahrez will be a big factor in this game.
“I think Pep Guardiola will start with him. With United having a left back, Tyrell Malacia, who is left-footed, I can see Pep using Mahrez on the right to try to come inside and expose Malacia on his right foot.”
Big player
Riyad Mahrez does not always get the headlines, but there is no doubt that the Algerian winger is one of the best players for Manchester City.
The 31-year-old has been superb for Pep Guardiola’s side over the years and has won the Premier League title three times with the Citizens.
Mahrez also won the Premier League title with Leicester City in 2015-16.
So far this season, the winger has made two starts and four substitute appearances in the Premier League, and one start and one substitute appearance in the UEFA Champions League for City.
Mahrez scored 11 goals and provided five assists in 15 Premier League starts and scored seven goals and gave two assists in 11 UEFA Champions League starts for City last season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
