Manchester derby is ‘game of the season’, says Herrera
MANCHESTER UNITED’S match against Manchester City in the Premier League tomorrow is “the game of the season” and will play a decisive role in both teams’ chances of finishing in the top four, midfielder Ander Herrera has said.
United, who are fifth in the table, trail fourth-placed City by a point and Herrera believes whichever team wins the derby will be in pole position to book a spot for next season’s Champions League.
“It’s going to be the game of the season,” Herrera told the club’s website (www. manutd.com).
“I don’t know the ‘winner takes all’ expression but it’s going to be a massive game.
“If one of us wins it, we are not going to lose a lot of games or make mistakes after that. It will be key.
“We are in a very good moment, on a very good run... and we have to show it on Thursday.”
United can also qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League. They play Spanish side Celta Vigo in the semi-finals next month.
“We also have the Europa League, which is a competition that makes me very excited... Hopefully we can fight for that title as well, but I know Celta Vigo are very good. They are a very difficult team,” Herrera said.
Meanwhile, the Red Devils have shown “concrete interest” in signing 26-yearold Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann, who has an exit clause of £85 million, the Frenchman’s agent Eric Olhats has said.
United have scored the least number of goals among the top six sides and are aiming to strengthen their attack with Griezmann, who has scored 25 goals for Atletico this season.
“We’re at the stage of gathering information from clubs who have a concrete interest,” Olhats told French television programme Telefoot.
“There is an unavoidable (about £85 million) clause so that restricts the number of candidates.
“You have United, City, Chelsea, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
“United were the first to come and see us and the most concrete in their wishes.”
Elsewhere, City midfielder Yaya Toure is so disappointed with the standard of officiating in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final loss to Arsenal that the Ivorian would prefer to play the Manchester derby without referees.
During the 2-1 defeat, City’s first goal was disallowed after match officials ruled that midfielder Leroy Sane’s cross went out of play before striker Sergio Aguero headed it in, but video replays showed that the ball never crossed the line.
“I think the referees have to stop this,” said Toure.
“I am very disappointed. It is not the first time, there have been a couple of times.
“Maybe on Thursday we are going to have a better referee or maybe play without a referee – I’d prefer that.”
The Citizens host United at the Etihad stadium and have to beat their local rivals to maintain their one-point advantage.
“It is a very big game, an important game,” Toure said.
“We have to do that job and we will see what can happen. We hope we are going to have a good referee.”
City have lost three of their last five games against United in all competitions but won the reverse league fixture at Old Trafford earlier this season. – Reuters