Jose Mourinho has stoked the fierce rivalry before the Old Trafford derby by accusing Manchester City players of diving.
and Bernardo Silva have been criticised by Arsenal manager and Burnley boss Sean Dyche of going down too easily this season, while Fernandinho was booked for simulation at Huddersfield.
Mourinho weighed in ahead of an eagerly awaited 175th Manchester derby, saying: ‘If you ask me one thing that I don’t like a lot, it’s that they lose their balance very easily. A little bit of wind and they fall.’
It is safe to assume that Mourinho’s comments were designed to get under Pep Guardiola’s skin and were a clear suggestion that his City players are prone to diving.
The mood at the Etihad when Wenger accused Sterling last month was one of anger and indignation. The Old Trafford boss will no doubt have been hoping to plant a seed of doubt in the mind of referee Michael Oliver, who has awarded three penalties against Mourinho’s side on the last five occasions he has taken charge of a United game.
All in all, it made for a colourful twist in what has been a largely dour rivalry between Mourinho and Guardiola since both moved to Manchester 18 months ago.
The sparks that flew in Spain have not been seen in England and a diplomatic Guardiola went so far as to say they were ‘twins’.
Mourinho’s position has altered, however, no doubt influenced by the fact that he needs any advantage he can get to inflict City’s first league defeat of the season and chip away at the eight-point gap at the top of the table.
-Dailymail