Manchester City Coach Pep Guardiola has now revealed some ‘ridiculous’ tactical plans for Saturday’s Manchester Derby, MySportDab reports.
City can get close to Arsenal with a win on Saturday against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Premier League.
Pep played with two midfielders as false nines in a dramatic Carabao Cup win at Old Trafford three years ago.
Guardiola is also used to switching things up, and he even played Joao Cancelo as a right winger during matches against at Liverpool and Chelsea.
Speaking ahead of the Manchester Derby, he said: ‘I want to arrive at United with the average of minutes in my players legs being quite similar because I have a few ridiculous ideas against United.
‘But I didn’t watch their recent matches. I have to see their style of play at home and if something is different away.
‘I will review it. That is why I’m not yet sure about my line-up against United.’
However, Guardiola confirmed that Kalvin Phillips could make his full debut as a City player tonight against Southampton in the Carabao Cup.
‘It’s upto him if he can fight with Rodri, this is necessary in the big clubs,’ he added.
‘He must fight with Rodri for a place. Rodri cannot slip knowing there’s someone close to him.
‘With the area duels, Kalvin is strong in the air. He can break lines, wide and inside. He must improve his ball retention rate from our central defenders and this is only a matter of time.
‘He’s a team player. He played amazingly for England. He has mentality, resilience, fight that he needs to settle with us and I’m convinced it will happen.’
Ahead of the derby, Guardiola gave a hint that Erling Haaland and De Bruyne will not start at St Mary’s.
‘They have played many games in the last years,’ he said.
‘If Kevin does not play for four or five days, he won’t lose anything.’
