Football 
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Horse Racing “Man Utd has shown they can beat Man City and they can do it again”, says Silvestre
“Man Utd has shown they can beat Man City and they can do it again”, says Silvestre
The Premier League season has ended and now Manchester City has two finals left in the Champions League and the FA Cup.
The blue Manchester-club are facing the red Manchester-club in a match, where both teams can secure their second trophy this season.
Man City has already won the Premier League and Man United won the Carabao Cup but now they are facing each other in the legendary FA Cup.
We talked to former Man United defender, Mikael Silvestre, who shared his thoughts on the final between the two local rivals.
In this article:
- Pep Guardiola overthinking again? – `Masterclass´ won’t make any difference
- The crucial midfield battle
- Man City will make mistakes
Pep Guardiola overthinking again? – `Masterclass´ won’t make any difference
According to Silvestre, the final will be a close game between two teams who might suffer from mental exhaustion ahead of the FA Cup final, and the Frenchman also claims that it isn´t an advantage for Man City that Pep Guardiola has rested a lot of players.
“You know who my favourite is (laughs). My favourite is Man United. Seriously, it will be an extremely competitive game. Both teams are in a very good and positive dynamic.”
“Man City has another final next week and they are in a good dynamic. It’s the end of the season but all their players are fighting for their spot in their final. The competition in training must be really tough.”
“I think both teams are tired both mentally and physically. The downside for Man United is that Martinez and Antony are injured. They are starters and it will be a massive blow for Man United not to have them ready.”
“Man City has a full squad available and it will be a very good game. Man United has to finish strong and after securing the Champions League spot the dynamic must be really good.”
“I don´t think it will make any difference that Man City has rested a lot of players. Both clubs have a week to prepare and the players are used to that.”
“Hopefully, Man United will be fresh enough and Bruno Fernandes will be important as the leader and the maestro in the midfield.”
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The crucial midfield battle
Silvestre urges Man United to take control of the midfield even though it can be tough against players like Rodri and De Bruyne, while he warns the club of defending too deep against Man City.
“I don´t think that Man United should defend deep in the game as it’s not their strategy. Probably, Man City will have the ball the majority of the time but it’s not a problem if they are pressing the midfield and try to avoid De Bruyne to make the key passes.”
“Man United has to keep their shape and accept that they won’t have the ball all the time. The key for Man United will be to keep a clean sheet for as long as possible.”
“Both Casemiro and Eriksen will be really important for Man United. The battle against Rodri and De Bruyne is massive as they have almost been controlling every single game.”
“It’s very important for Man United to take control of the midfield even though it will be extremely tough. They have to limit the impact of Man City’s midfield.”
Man City will make mistakes
Lastly, Silvestre says that Man United’s win against Man City at Old Trafford can be an important tool for The Red Devils in terms of bringing some belief into the game.
“They did beat Man City at Old Trafford and Man United can take their belief from being able to actually beat them.”
“Man City can make mistakes if you force them to do it. They are not going to hand you the victory but they have to take advantage of the mistakes they will make.”
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