Manchester derby: Marouane Fellaini predicts intense showdown on Saturday will be a ‘war’

MAROUANE FELLAINI reckons tomorrow’s Manchester derby will be a “war”.

And his United team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic lobbed the first grenade with a fresh attack on City boss Pep Guardiola.

Both sides put their 100 per cent records on the line at Old Trafford and Fellaini said: “It will be a war, with a lot of intensity.

“I expect it will be a beautiful match in a special atmosphere.  I do not dare speak out about who will win. It’s really 50-50.”

Fellaini, 28, has been reborn under Jose Mourinho, who dropped him back in front of the defence.

The Special One urged fans to back the under-fire Belgian and Fellaini admitted: “It gives pleasure to hear that.

“If a coach says something about you, you do the maximum for him on the field.

“I’m also happy with my position. It’s my old position — and my best. I’m glad I get there finally.”

Ibrahimovic branded Guardiola a “spineless coward” over the way he treated him at Barcelona. And the striker stoked the derby fires with another swipe at City’s chief — while hailing Mourinho.

Ibra, 34, said: “Mourinho’s direct with everyone. He’s not a coach that goes behind your back.

“He will tell you if you’re not good enough. I prefer that instead of having somebody that doesn’t say anything to you.”

Ibra’s agent Mino Raiola also put the boot in. He raged: “Guardiola? He doesn’t have the balls to sit down and talk to me.

“I don’t like him. He’s a good coach but his football philosophy seems boring to me.”