ENZO MARESCA has branded Manchester United the Premier League’s number one long-ball merchants.
The Manchester City boss expects United to go direct in today’s powder keg derby.
The Italian has done his homework as City look to improve on just one win in their last four Old Trafford visits.
Maresca said: “They are the team in the Premier League at the moment who plays the most balls in behind.
“It’s quite clear that they’re very dangerous and they don’t need many passes. They are quite direct when they recover the ball.”
Maresca is not the first Prem boss to slap the Red Devils with that label.
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Arne Slot did so last October when United, then bossed by Ruben Amorim, won 2-1 at Liverpool.
Slot said: “It is always difficult to play against a team that defends in a low block and mainly plays the long ball.”
City have won all three Prem games so far.
United boss Michael Carrick is trying to build on the 5-2 win over Ipswich in their last home Prem game.
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Saturday 12 September
Sunderland
0 – 2
EPL
Arsenal
Sunday 13 September
Coventry
14:00
EPL
Brighton
Man Utd
16:30
EPL
Man City
Monday 14 September
Leeds
20:00
EPL
Newcastle
Saturday 12 September
Sunderland
0 – 2
EPL
Arsenal
Spurs
0 – 0
EPL
Everton
Liverpool
0 – 0
EPL
Fulham
Palace
2 – 3
EPL
Ipswich
Chelsea
2 – 2
EPL
Hull
Villa
1 – 2
EPL
Forest
Bournemouth
2 – 2
EPL
Brentford
English Premier League
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4
12
7
4
0
0
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5
3
0
0
3
4
8
3
2
2
0
4
4
7
1
2
1
1
5
4
6
3
1
3
0
6
4
6
2
1
3
0
7
4
6
2
1
3
0
8
4
6
-3
2
0
2
City have £116million midfielder Elliot Anderson — who rejected a move to United in the summer.
But Maresca believes midfield pal Enzo Fernandez could play an even more crucial role.
He added: “You can see how team-mates talk about Enzo in terms of winning mentality.
“Players who have already won, and know how to win — it is important they’re in our squad.”