Manchester City starlet Kelechi Iheanacho wants to wreck Jose Mourinho’s perfect as he will step in for injured Sergio Aguero in Manchester derby
Iheanacho has felt people getting excited about the biggest game of the English season so far.
KELECHI IHEANACHO has vowed to wreck Jose Mourinho’s perfect start — and prove Pep Guardiola is the real Special One.
The Manchester City striker will step in for banned Sergio Aguero in next weekend’s derby showdown at Old Trafford.
Even while on international duty with Nigeria, Iheanacho has felt people getting excited about the biggest game of the English season so far.
He said: “Sergio’s suspension is a big loss but we have a lot of big players to turn to.
“If I get picked I’m going to do my job. Games like this mean a lot and it doesn’t come bigger than a derby.”
The rivalry between Mourinho and Guardiola began 18 years ago and has sometimes fallen into bitterness and disgrace.
So expect more fireworks at Old Trafford.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic compares them in his book I Am Zlatan.
He said: “If Mourinho lights up a room, Guardiola draws the curtains.”
Iheanacho, 19, can only speak about Pep — and believes he is the best coach in the world. He said: “He’s a winner and I believe he will bring success to the club.
“His arrival has changed the mentality of everyone because you are starting from scratch.
“The past means nothing and everyone is fighting hard to get a chance.
“It’s been very good for me. He’s one of the best managers in the world and I am learning a lot from him.
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“He’s the special one sent to Man City and, obviously, the special one for me.”
Both managers have enjoyed 100 per cent starts to their careers in Manchester — so something has to give at Old Trafford.
Iheanacho said: “The Premier League is highly competitive and getting three points at Old Trafford will be a perfect start to the campaign.
“They are playing at home but in football you don’t let that bother you. I was there last season — it ended in a draw — so I know what to expect.
“There can only be one winner and it has to be Man City.”
Iheanacho is feeling the excitement and it will only increase as kick-off gets closer.
He said: “It’s a huge game. The rivalry is intense. You hear people talking about it for days leading up to the game.
“I’m in Nigeria and I hear people going on about it, even players texting and reminding you what awaits you next week.
“Fans are reminding you on social media — the mood is right. We are ready.”
All eyes will be on Guardiola and Mourinho in a rivalry that started when they first met at Barcelona in 1998.
Ibrahimovic accused Guardiola of “bullying” at Barcelona and says he tried to get rid of big personalities.
The City boss has admitted he likes control at the Etihad campus, where players can eat and sleep after training.
Guardiola said: “We have everything we need to work. The players cannot complain.
“They have absolutely everything to help them to be ready to play.
“To win or lose is another thing because the opponent can be better but here there are no excuses.
“I control when they are here.
“But at home, I don’t knock on their doors, open, say to their beautiful wives, ‘What are you doing?’
Maybe in the future! I have never seen facilities like this.
“It is a big compliment for the chairman, for the people of Abu Dhabi and, of course, the people at Manchester City.”