Key events
There are a ton of matches to be played between now and the World Cup – City will play 13 matches in the next 43 days, reckons a reporter at the press conference. How many training sessions is Guardiola going to schedule, given the heavy playing load over the next several weeks?
“Few. Few, few, few,” Guardiola responds. “It’s recovery, be ready, try to rotate as much as possible the players. Everybody involved, everybody is going to play the next games, some more than others, but everyone is going to play … [we must] adapt, adjust and recover well.”
Guardiola says it is “not weird” that the City physio, Mario Pafundi, joined Erling Haaland in Norway’s international camp in recent days. Guardiola says that the physios are the most important members of the backroom staff, and that Haaland struggled with injuries last season, so keeping him fit is a priority.
What does Pep Guardiola expect from Erik Ten Hag and Manchester United on Sunday? “Always I expect the best … the quality they have, there is no doubt about it.
“They come with very good results, they are a top side … yeah, good momentum for them.”
Injured Maguire missing for Manchester United
Erik Ten Hag has said the England defender Harry Maguire will miss Sunday’s Manchester derby through injury. More to follow on that.
Guardiola was meant to speak at 1.30pm, but like any…
