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Manchester United vs Manchester City: Xavi warns Jose Mourinho and backs Pep Guardiola in derby

United and City go head-to-head in the EFL Cup on Wednesday

Jack Austin
Tuesday 25 October 2016 13:37 BST
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Xavi is backing Guardiola to win the Premier League title with Man City
Xavi is backing Guardiola to win the Premier League title with Man City

Barcelona legend Xavi has warned Jose Mourinho not to ‘start a war’ with football just because Manchester United are going through a mini crisis.

Questions are being asked about Mourinho’s managerial ability again after United were comprehensively beaten 4-0 by his former club Chelsea on Sunday.

And things could get worse before they get better for the Old Trafford club, with Mourinho set to lock horns with Pep Guardiola for the second time this season in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night.

Xavi saw first-hand how Mourinho can react if things don’t go well while he was playing for Barca against the Portuguese’s Real Madrid, and fears he will revert to his ‘the world is against us’ tactics.

“Sometimes, when things don’t go well for Mourinho, he wants war not football - like when he was at Madrid - and I hope we don’t see that again in England,” said Xavi.

Mourinho failed to get the better of Guardiola during their time in Spain together and also lost out as the pair recommenced their rivalry earlier in the season, when City ran out 2-1 winners at Old Trafford to hand the former Chelsea boss his first defeat.

But Xavi says the pair’s rivalry is good for the Premier League, despite the toxicity of their relationship in La Liga, and is backing his former boss for the title while suggesting Mourinho still needs another transfer window to complete his squad.

Xavi had his run-ins with Mourinho while playing under Guardiola

He added: “When I knew they would be rival coaches again, I knew it would be good for football,” said Xavi. “I knew it would be especially good for English football.

“They’re two of the best coaches in the world and their duel can be the best in football.”

“Both coaches are going to want to win this game. I don’t believe this is a competition they will not take seriously.

“Pep will not be worrying, that’s not his way - but he will not have been happy with recent results - and a good win against the biggest rivals could put them on a good run again.

“Pep will also want to win his first competition with City, that will be important for him.

“Even with City dropping some points in the league, I still think under Pep they’ll be champions this season.

“The domestic competitions have to be everything for United and Mourinho this season. I don’t think this season they can win the Premier League. These competitions are their hope for a trophy.

“Once Mourinho has had another transfer window, maybe they’ll be ready, but for now they must secure a finish in a Champions Leauge spot - that’s where United belong.”

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