Football
ESPN staff 10y

Poor United shocked Fernandinho

Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho says he was surprised how easily his side rolled over Manchester United earlier this season, with the Brazilian expecting another victory in Tuesday’s derby.

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City thrashed United 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium in September, with goals from Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri, as well as a Sergio Aguero brace.

The match was indicative of how the two sides’ seasons would pan out, with United currently struggling in seventh place in the Premier League while City are challenging for the title.

"It was the first time I'd played them after joining City,” Fernandinho was quoted as saying in several British newspapers. "It's a club with a lot of history, with very good players, they were the champions -- so I was surprised at how badly they played that day and how easily we won.

“We will go there expecting to win but we know that in a derby a lot of things can happen."

The Brazil midfielder, who looks set to win a place in Luiz Felipe Scolari’s World Cup squad after enjoying an outstanding debut season in England, is relishing the prospect of taking on United and then Arsenal in the space of a few days.

"They'll all be big games, all finals,” Fernandinho added. “We know we cannot afford to drop a single point. This derby and the match next Saturday will both be finals, both big games. We have to look to win them both.”

 
 
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