The mind games have started.
Ahead of the Manchester derby – and the biggest game of the season so far – on Sunday, Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola have been exchanging pleasantries and working each other out.
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And after comments made by Guardiola on Tuesday about the fitness of midfield maestro David Silva, Mourinho has called his opposite number out.
The Manchester City boss has implied Silva may miss the Old Trafford clash through injury – but Mourinho is more than sceptical, particularly after events before the Arsenal game last weekend.
United were convinced Alexandre Lacazette would miss the game after Arsene Wenger ‘ruled him out’ with a knock, but the Frenchman duly started and scored.
And Mourinho is accusing Guardiola of similar cheap tactics in the run up to the derby, effectively labelling him a liar.
“Our opponents have all these issues. They have a big issue but in the end everybody is ready to play,” he told the Daily Mail.
“They have phenomenal organisations. We are a bit more humble. When we have a problem, we have a problem.
“When players are injured, they are injured. I tell you the truth.”
He added: “No stories of Lacazette or Silva. All truth.
“Eric Bailly has no chance. Phil Jones has a chance. Marouane Fellaini a chance.
“Zlatan Ibrahimovic a big chance. Nemanja Matic is injured but will play for sure.”
Is that the sound of the pot stirring I can hear?