Mourinho: Manchester United deserve to finish second
That’s according to former Arsenal ace and Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas, who’s still expecting United to lose 2-1 to their cross-city rivals.
Manchester United have often been accused of adopting negative tactics this season with Mourinho determined to give as little away to opponents as possible.
And they utilised such a system to good effect when they took a point from free-flowing Liverpool at Anfield back in October.
Mourinho is expected to set United up defensively when they take on Premier League champions-in-waiting City this weekend.
And Nicholas reckons he’ll do just that, but that it won’t be enough to stop Pep Guardiola’s men sealing victory.
"People will expect City to be angry and frustrated and, while they'll want to rebuild momentum for the second leg [vs Liverpool in the Champions League], they don't need to win the title this weekend so Pep will keep them patient," Nicholas told Sky Sports.
"I think Jose will park the bus, irritate, frustrate and show little interest in attacking.
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Jose Mourinho leads Manchester United against Manchester City at the Etihad on Saturday
Shaka Hislop says Klopp is a better manager than Mourinho
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Jose Mourinho has been tipped to adopt a defensive approach against Manchester City
"It will be arduous at times with great tension, but I see City getting the job done, perhaps late on."
Gabriel Jesus is poised to lead the line for Manchester City with Sergio Aguero facing a late test on a knee injury sustained last month.
And Nicholas has backed the 21-year-old Brazil international to break the deadlock against United.