Ilkay's salute for Guardiola

MANCHESTER City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan may be set for a long spell on the sidelines through injury, but he's still delighted with the time he has already had working under manager Pep Guardiola.

The Germany midfielder suffered a knee injury in the recent victory over Watford, but after signing in the summer, he insists Guardiola is a special coach.

He said: "Pep thinks about every different situation and has solutions for them. There is no coach like him.

"He has great charisma. Everybody who knows him sees that his football was always dominant and he had success every time."

City head to Hull City on Boxing Day, hoping to close what is currently a seven-point gap between them and impressive leaders Chelsea.

OUTSIDE

Meanwhile, The first Manchester derby to be played outside England could take place in the United States next summer. Guardiola's City and United, managed by Jose Mourinho, were due to face each other in Beijing in July.

However, torrential rain in the Chinese capital left the Bird's Nest pitch unplayable and the game was called off less than six hours before kick-off.

Both Premier League clubs will travel to the US in July as part of their 2017 pre-season campaigns.

No details have been announced, but both are expected to be involved in the annual International Champions Cup.