Manchester United v Manchester City: Luke Shaw and Henrikh Mkhitaryan fit for derby as Jose Mourinho talks up title
Duo recover from knocks as boss backs Zlatan Ibrahimovic to shine but warns team about Sergio Aguero absence
LUKE SHAW and Henrikh Mkhitaryan are fit and ready to be thrust into the Manchester derby on Saturday.
The Manchester United duo were both doubts to face Manchester City after picking up knocks on international duty.
But Jose Mourinho has revealed he has a fully fit squad at his disposal for the crunch clash at Old Trafford.
He said: “I never have a problem when I have good players available. In this moment we have a completely fit squad.”
The former Chelsea boss also insists he’s treating the match just like any other, despite preparing to come face-to-face with old foe Pep Guardiola.
Mourinho added: “[I feel] normal. And I don’t think the players are thinking about the impressive numbers of people watching. For me especially it’s a game.
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“We are playing to win the title and when you do that, especially in the first face of the season, I don’t feel any match is more important than another one.”
Sergio Aguero is suspended for the game, and Mourinho reckons the Argentine’s absence actually makes things harder for the Red Devils.
He explained: “When Aguero is available, we know that Aguero plays. We know the formation and their dynamics and no-one has doubts that if he’s ready he plays.
“They have an amazingly rich squad in options and now Guardiola can have many decisions.”
Meanwhile, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been backed to deliver in his first-ever Manchester derby, with Mourinho saying: “He’s a phenomenal player that arrives at the age of 34 and he wants more for his career.
“He didn’t want the Chinese money or the US dollars – he wanted the most difficult place to play football and win titles.”