WHAT’S UP DOC? MOUR SENDS CITY STER CRAZY

described as a “small” injury. But Mourinho claimed he knew all along that Sterling would be fit to start for City.

And he called on Southgate to name and shame the bosses who try to get their players released from international duty.

Fanning the flames ahead of today’s clash, Mourinho spelled out his suspicions, saying: “Gareth, I read, supposedly said that some club managers put pressure on the players not to play for the national team.

“I would like him to say who. I would like him to say which are the coaches who put pressure on the players not to go.

“Of course, we all know that Sterling is going to play. When Eric Dier left the national team injured in the past month, he did not play two matches for Tottenham. But Raheem is going to play in this match.

“These are the little details that I think Gareth should explain to us all.”

That drew a withering response from Guardiola, who claimed that Sterling had only been able to return to training yesterday.

“Mourinho has to speak to the doctor for the national team of England and the doctor for Manchester City,” said the City manager. “He has to go to the doctors. Except maybe Mourinho is a doctor – I don’t know.”

When Guardiola was later asked about Mourinho hinting that Manchester City’s players go down too easily when fouled, the Spaniard said: “Listen, I’m not going to answer anything about Jose.

“I said about the doctor because he accused us of something we’ve done that is not true.

“You have to speak to the doctors about these other things, don’t ask me. I’m almost 50. I’m old enough to understand.”