De Bruyne to miss the Manchester derby
Manchester City have confirmed that midfielder Kevin de Bruyne is set for five or six weeks on the sidelines after suffering ligament damage in his left knee.
The Belgian playmaker was injured in last night’s Carabao Cup fourth-round win over Fulham. He was making his first start since returning from an injury to his right knee.
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De Bruyne is expected to miss Sunday’s match against Southampton, two Champions League group games and four league fixtures - including the Manchester derby against United on 11 November. The BBC reports that he may also miss the clash against Chelsea on 8 December.
City manager Pep Guardiola told Sky Sports: “Unfortunately he is injured, but fortunately he does not need surgery. In between four and six weeks the doctor said he will come back.
“Kevin was out for two-and-a-half months, we are sad for him. When you come back [from injury] you cannot expect on day one he will be the player we know he is. He needs time to settle and take the rhythm, pace, everything. Yesterday he came back but it is what it is.”
Mourinho: United will be top four
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is confident that his side can finish in the top four of the Premier League this season.
After a slow start to the campaign, the Red Devils are currently eighth in the table, five points behind fourth-placed Arsenal and nine behind leaders Man City.
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of tomorrow’s match against Bournemouth, Mourinho said: “When you are outside the top four I don’t believe you should speak about the title.
“When you are in the top four - which I believe we are going to be - you can look up, see the distance, see the fixtures, you can look at the situation at that moment with injuries, suspensions and form, then you can feel it.
“In this moment, we are outside the top four, so I think the point now is to get the points we need and to try to be in a better position by the end of December, like I expect to be.”
Sarri: Cahill still the captain
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri says that even if Gary Cahill is not picked to play for the first team, he remains the club captain at Stamford Bridge.
The England international defender has struggled to break into Sarri’s starting XI this season, and there is speculation that he could leave in January. Cahill has played only five matches but was skipper against Derby in the league cup in midweek.
Sarri, whose side face Crystal Palace on Sunday, said: “As we have seen in the last matches, the captain is Cahill, like in the last match [against Derby]. If Cahill is not on the pitch, the captain is [Cesar] Azpilicueta. Our captain is Cahill.”
Premier League fixtures and TV guide
Saturday 3 November (3pm unless stated)
- Bournemouth vs. Manchester United (12.30pm, live on BT Sport 1)
- Cardiff City vs. Leicester City
- Everton vs. Brighton and Hove Albion
- Newcastle United vs. Watford
- West Ham United vs. Burnley
- Arsenal vs. Liverpool (5.30pm, live on BT Sport 1)
- Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Tottenham Hotspur (7.45pm, live on Sky Sports)
Sunday 4 November
- Manchester City vs. Southampton (3pm)
- Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace (4pm, live on Sky Sports)
Monday 5 November
- Huddersfield Town vs. Fulham (8pm, live on Sky Sports)
