Mourinho aims dig at Guardiola over Silva’s fitness

Jose Mourinho has fired up Sunday’s potentially explosive Manchester derby by taking a swipe at Pep Guardiola over the fitness of David Silva. Mourinho has accused Guardiola of using mind games after the Manchester City coach claimed Silva is doubtful for the Premier League clash at Old Trafford.

Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger was also caught in the Portuguese’s crossfire over comments made about Alexandre Lacazette, who started the game against United on Saturday, despite being apparently ruled out 48 hours before.

But it is the uncertainty over Silva’s involvement that has riled Mourinho, after the winger failed to travel to Ukraine for City’s Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk. Guardiola insisted he did not know whether Silva would be fit to play, but when asked which of his own players could return, Mourinho replied: “When we have a problem, we have a problem.

“When players are injured, they are injured. I tell you the truth. The truth is Eric Bailly has no chance for the weekend, Phil Jones a chance, [Marouane] Fellaini a chance, Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] a big chance and [Nemanja] Matic is injured but will play for sure. [Michael] Carrick, no chance.

“No stories of Lacazette or David Silva. All the truth. Our opponents have all these issues. They have a big issue but, in the end, everybody is ready to play. They have phenomenal organisations. We are a bit more humble.” Mourinho was in typically spiky mood after United secured top spot in Group A with their 2-1 win over CSKA Moscow. Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford scored.

The result means they have reached the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time since 2014. “I think that teams will not be jumping with happiness to play against us,” he said. “I am not the luckiest guy with draws, so it is better I shut up and forget it because we only play in February. Until then