DAVID SILVA is out to put derby rivals Man United in their place this weekend - and Pablo Zabaleta says Pep Guardiola is the perfect man to lead the task.
BITTER: Guardiola and Mourionho have a frosty relationship to say the least
City travel to Old Trafford on Saturday to face Jose Mourinho’s men in what promises to be one of the most explosive clashes of the season.
The neighbours go into the shoot-out with perfect records following their winning starts to the campaign.
Both have won their opening three league games to sit alongside each other at the top of the Premier League table.
To add more spice to the powder keg clash, feuding enemies Pep Guardiola and Mourinho will resume their old rivalry.
The warring duo fell out in spectacular fashion during their time in La Liga as respective bosses of Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid.
There might be a cursory handshake on the touchline before kick-off, but there is no love lost between the two biggest and most successful bosses in world football.
It all adds up to a mouthwatering showdown that could see as much action off the pitch as on it.
But all Silva is focusing on is beating United to maintain City’s winning start to the campaign as the billionaires look to become title winners again.
In times gone by City would have been happy to leave Old Trafford with a point from a visit to their neighbours.
But those times have changed dramatically and Silva insists Guardiola’s men are on a mission to win - and will be disappointed with anything less.
Defensive rock Pablo Zabaleta says City will go into the showdown full of confidence because the arrival of Guardiola has given the whole side such a lift.
The Argentine star said: “I think for players when you have the opportunity to work with the best managers it’s something really special.
"The experience will be great and I’m sure that in the next three years the club will make a step forward.
"I am absolutely sure of this because Pep Guardiola is one of the greatest managers and we are so lucky to have him at Manchester City.
"For him it’s a new experience of the Premier League, a different league, and so I think the players will need to try and help him.
"Especially those of us who have been here a long time who know the Premier League very well. We need to work as a group and try to play well.
"His style of play is maybe a bit different to what we’ve done in the past. But that is normal every time you work under a new manager with their own ideas. You have to work hard.”
Guardiola, meanwhile, has continued his Etihad revolution by appointing Dr Eduardo Mauri as head of the club’s medical staff.
Mauri, who played for Espanyol before retiring to start his doctor training, will be the man charged with getting crocked captain Vincent Kompany back to full fitness following several seasons of serious injury problems.
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