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Kevin De Bruyne has urged Manchester City to correct their uneven derby record at Old Trafford on Saturday.
City lost both Premier League meetings with Manchester United last season by handing over the title to Liverpool.
And De Bruyne fears United are a wounded animal after the Champions League midweek disappointment, but plans to stamp an authority on the derby.
“They won last year so we have to try to fix it,” said the Belgian.
‘We made a couple of mistakes and it was difficult to come back. We have to try to take advantage of the opportunities we have and we have to be careful because, given everything that has happened this week, it is a good game for them to flip the switch.
“They will want to show a different side to what happened in Leipzig and we must be aware of that. The derby has gotten bigger with us so well and fighting for titles. I don’t think anyone needs to tell any player how important the derby is. “
United have favored a counter-attacking style in recent encounters, but De Bruyne said there is no reason why Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team couldn’t operate in a more attractive way this time around.
“They have some new players and maybe they will play a little more offensively,” he said. It depends on how the game goes, who scores first. They played defense and on the counter last season and they got us out really well. ”
Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, has lent his support to Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but cautioned that the results will dictate the Norwegian’s future.
Solskjaer’s position at Old Trafford came under increased scrutiny after RB Leipzig ousted United from the Champions League.
Guardiola, whose Manchester City team is going to Old Trafford on Saturday, believes Solskjaer has enough character to overcome problems.
“He is an exceptional coach,” Guardiola said. “I know, Ole knows, everyone knows it depends on the results, but I have a great opinion about his work at United.
‘When we win, we are geniuses and when we lose, they have to fire us. It happens at United and in every club in the world.
‘That is why we receive a large salary, for these situations. It is important to know the value of Solskjaer, he is there. He’s strong enough and knows this job. We have to go thinking that we are going to face the best version of them. ‘
United are one point ahead of City in the Premier League table, and both Manchester clubs have a game in hand over their title rivals.
Guardiola distrusts the threat of counterattack that United represents and how it recovers at the end of the games.
“We will try to play our game, control them to the maximum and, yes, punish them,” added the Catalan. “They know that we are going to win the game, as we always have. We know the quality they have. We cannot deny it.
‘They have an exceptional squad. I know they came back against West Ham, against Southampton and almost against Leipzig ”.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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