Derby Sunday at Old Trafford
Manchester United host Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday, 13 September, 17:30 CEST, in the fourth round of Premier League fixtures (5). You go in top of the table: 9 points from 3 games, +5 goal difference, four straight wins across all competitions. United are chasing the same thing, a statement win (5).
Maresca has played it cool all week. He says this derby is not the most intense he has faced, even as he backed Elliot Anderson's 'Kings of Manchester' dig (2). Whatever the noise, it is his first one in charge.
Dias backs Maresca
Ruben Dias did not wait for the derby to speak up. City's senior defender told BBC Sport's Kelly Somers that Enzo Maresca is the "perfect person" for the City job, his first public word on the dressing room after Pep Guardiola's exit (1).
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Marmoush to Tottenham, loan becomes permanent
Omar Marmoush has joined Tottenham on loan from City with an obligation to buy (4). The forward says Tottenham's results will improve once the squad better understands De Zerbi's demands (4). One fewer option up front for the rest of the season.
Deco on how Rodri left
Barcelona's sporting director Deco says Barça expected Rodri to sign a new City deal. "Qualche mese fa non pensavamo al suo trasferimento, perché credevamo che non avrebbe lasciato il City. Gli restava un anno di contratto e ci aspettavamo il rinnovo," he said, which means a few months ago they were not thinking about a transfer, because they believed he would not leave City, with a year left and a renewal expected (6).
Fan reactions
The mood is split between derby nerves and old memories. One thread digs up Cavan Sullivan's line on his future City move, where he says he is just focusing on Philly until he turns 18, and wants to keep the future out of his head (link). Another r/MCFC post asks a simple question, "Are you missing someone, kev?", a nod to Kevin De Bruyne with the derby coming up (link).
