Thursday Gossip

David Clayton@dclayton_MCFC

Media Watch: Villa teen a target for City?

Thursday morning’s media round-up has a transfer snippet, reaction to last night’s FA Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday, reaction to the quarter-final draw and team news for the derby.

Men's Team
City discover FA Cup quarter-final opponents
Let’s get straight into it…

Gossip
Express: City and Bayern target Philogene-Bidace?
They report: “Manchester City are interested in signing Aston Villa youngster Jaden Philogene-Bidace. The left-sided winger has drawn attention from a number of European giants this season, including Bayern Munich and Ajax.
“But, he appears set to leave Villa Park after starting his career at the Midlands club.
“The 17-year-old has developed exceedingly quickly, and he's now been watched by scouts from numerous European clubs.
“City are also keeping tabs on Philogene-Bidace, ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider."

Reaction
Yorkshire Post: Monk rues “offside" goal
It reads: “Sergio Aguero continued his outstanding record in the Cup by sending City through to the quarter-finals with the only goal of the game at Hillsborough.
“City were full value for victory on a night when the Owls were deservedly afforded plaudits at least for showing renewed character, organisation and fortitude on an occasion when their efforts were appreciated by home supporters at the final whistle - a far cry from the jeers and chants of 'You're not fit to wear the shirt' in Saturday's poor loss to Derby County in the Championship.
“But Monk admitted that City's winner - on an evening when they spurned a number of chances and were dominant - still left a bitter taste in his mouth.
“Monk, who confirmed that defender Julian Borner and Kieran Lee came off with injuries, said: ‘Overall, it was disappointing to lose the game, especially on a goal that should have been offside.
‘I would rather have lost it to a goal that was legitimate, but that is not taking away anything from Man City, who are fantastic.
‘It was a difficult game, but we stuck at what we needed to do. I was disappointed with the result, but happy with the level of commitment and performance we took against a very good side.
‘We understood how hard this game was going to be and what Manchester City force you into and we had planned for that.’

Team news
Evening Standard: De Bruyne a doubt for the derby?
They write: “Kevin De Bruyne is an injury doubt for the Manchester derby after missing City's FA Cup win at Sheffield Wednesday through injury.
“Manager Pep Guardiola said the Belgian landed awkwardly on his back and shoulder in the latter stages of Sunday's Carabao Cup final victory over Aston Villa at Wembley.
“The 28-year-old did not travel to Hillsborough for Wednesday's fifth-round tie, which City won 1-0, and Guardiola is unsure if he will be fit for Sunday's Premier League clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford.
“Speaking in his post-match press conference, Guardiola said: ‘Kevin had a problem here (points to shoulder).

‘He was not fit. In the last game, the last minutes he fell down in a bad position and had a problem in his back. We don't know how long (he will be out). Hopefully not much.’

FA Cup draw reaction
Chronicle Live: Magpies handed tough test
They report: “Newcastle United have been handed a tough quarter-final against the FA Cup holders Manchester City.
“The only positive for United is that they will be at home in front of a sell-out crowd when they face Pep Guardiola’s side.
“But Newcastle fans were left a little deflated after Martin Keown and Chris Waddle, who drew the balls, set up the crunch tie.
“Newcastle tweeted that the game is ‘likely’ to be on Saturday, March 21 but that is subject to change with both BBC and BT Sport set to televise all of the matches.
“The other ties pitted Sheffield United at home to Arsenal, Leicester host Chelsea while Norwich or Spurs take on Derby or Manchester United.
“The draw means that Newcastle's April 18 trip to Manchester City in the Premier League will also be rescheduled. That is the date of the semi-final."
That’s all for today – more of the same tomorrow.