‘We have to be ready for whatever system City play’
Victor Lindelof says Manchester United have to be wary of Manchester City’s attacking threats when the sides meet on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola’s men have won 21 consecutive games in all competitions and the Swede knows preparing against those challenges will be key in determining how the match pans out at the Etihad Stadium.
As with any derby, Lindelof and his team-mates are all looking forward to the contest and the 26-year-old feels the Reds are more than capable of ending City’s run at the weekend.
As with any derby, Lindelof and his team-mates are all looking forward to the contest and the 26-year-old feels the Reds are more than capable of ending City’s run at the weekend.
Video
“Obviously it’s a big game coming up and it’s a game that everyone wants to play,” the defender told club media.
“We are going to play against a very good team, but we are also a very good team. It’s going to be a challenge like always.
“It’s a derby game and we have to be ready for what they can bring to the game. I think everyone will be 100 per cent ready for that and hopefully we can perform at a high level.”
“We are going to play against a very good team, but we are also a very good team. It’s going to be a challenge like always.
“It’s a derby game and we have to be ready for what they can bring to the game. I think everyone will be 100 per cent ready for that and hopefully we can perform at a high level.”
City have often operated without a recognised striker this season, although they have started with Gabriel Jesus or Sergio Aguero in the last two league games.
It’s a challenge for any defender when they’re faced with the irregularity of not marking a centre-forward, although Victor feels whatever formation City play on Sunday will offer it’s own unique issues to contend with.
“They can change system sometimes and you have to be ready for anything,” he said. “There’s a lot of movement there with and without the ball and you have to be ready for anything.
“If they don’t play the game with a striker you have to look at the game in a different way, maybe try and close some spaces that you wouldn’t do if they had a no.9.
“I don’t know how they will play against us, but we will have to wait and see. However and whichever way they play, we will be ready for that.”
It’s a challenge for any defender when they’re faced with the irregularity of not marking a centre-forward, although Victor feels whatever formation City play on Sunday will offer it’s own unique issues to contend with.
“They can change system sometimes and you have to be ready for anything,” he said. “There’s a lot of movement there with and without the ball and you have to be ready for anything.
“If they don’t play the game with a striker you have to look at the game in a different way, maybe try and close some spaces that you wouldn’t do if they had a no.9.
“I don’t know how they will play against us, but we will have to wait and see. However and whichever way they play, we will be ready for that.”
City v United: Solskjaer’s press conference Video
City v United: Solskjaer’s press conference
Watch the manager’s press conference for his views on De Gea, Man City, transfer competition and our recent form…
Despite City’s impressive recent run, United have won on the last two trips to the Etihad, and Victor believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men can make it three in a row this weekend.
“We always have confidence going into games and we know we can beat any team. We know they have been good lately, they are on a good run. But that’s not our focus, we just focus on the game and what we want to do on the pitch.
“Like I said, it’s a big game; it’s a derby and everyone wants to win. We will go into that game with the right mentality and a hunger to win.”
“We always have confidence going into games and we know we can beat any team. We know they have been good lately, they are on a good run. But that’s not our focus, we just focus on the game and what we want to do on the pitch.
“Like I said, it’s a big game; it’s a derby and everyone wants to win. We will go into that game with the right mentality and a hunger to win.”
Back to Top