Welcome to the City Is Ours daily news round-up, where we take a look at some of the stories you might have missed from the past 24 hours.
Manchester City have potentially been handed a major boost in their quest to finish top of their Champions League group, a former Manchester United player has made a very odd statement concerning Jose Mourinho's thoughts on Pep Guardiola and Barcelona are keen to secure the long-term future of a reported City target...
Verratti already a doubt for Champions League clash
It might sound a bit weird to be getting excited over a player potentially being unavailable for a match that's still nearly a month away, but when the player in question is midfield maestro Marco Verratti, it makes perfect sense!
The Italian absolutely ran the show at Parc des Princes as Guardiola's men were beaten 2-0 by PSG in late September, yet there's a strong chance he won't be available for the return clash at the Etihad Stadium on November 24.
The Ligue 1 outfit have taken to their official website to release an injury update on Verratti after he picked up a knock in his side's 0-0 draw with Marseille at the weekend, with the projected return date of "four weeks' time" meaning he's unlikely to be fully fit for the clash even if he is available for selection.
This may sound a little far-fetched but if you were to tell me I could pick one player not to be available for PSG when they make the trip to Manchester, I'd choose Verratti - alright, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar aren't bad, but Verratti is the one who makes them tick.
Guardiola previously declared his 'love' for the Italian following the September group-stage meeting, saying: "I'm in love with him. He is exceptional. Even under pressure, he manages to find those passes that allow the midfield to be free.
"He's not a player for long passes but you can always count on him to build the game. We managed to control him better in the second half but in the first half he was really exceptional."
The Etihad showdown is likely to be key in deciding who finishes top of Group A and this could genuinely be a massive boost to City's chances.
Guardiola still haunts Mourinho
Tell us something we didn't already know.
He can deny it all he likes but we know for a fact Mourinho has a dartboard with a picture of Guardiola's face printed on it that he takes everywhere he goes.
The pair have engaged in a plethora of titanic battles down the years, though it seems the grudge doesn't end once the full-time whistle has been blown.
World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger has made an astonishing claim on BBC Radio 5Live (via the Daily Star), saying he believes Mourinho didn't play him when the pair were together at United because he'd previously spent time under the wing of Guardiola at Bayern Munich.
The German ace went on to add that it was the playing style Guardiola had instilled in him that meant Mourinho wasn't a fan of his work, but to be honest we'd just prefer to think he doesn't like Schweinsteiger because he doesn't like the City boss.
Very much 'you split up with my friend so you're dead to me now' vibes and we're absolutely here for it.
Barcelona keen to keep hold of Dembele
There's been a lot of speculation surrounding City's potential transfer dealings with Barcelona of late, with Raheem Sterling tipped to be the main protagonist in any possible business between the pair.
However, City are also reportedly interested in a Barca player, with Ousmane Dembele a player rumoured to be on Guardiola's wishlist.
The Frenchman has endured a torrid time since his move to Camp Nou, with multiple injuries hampering his bid to stamp his authority on La Liga.
With less than one year remaining on his current deal, speculation surrounding his future is rife, though Fabrizio Romano reports that Ronaldo Koeman is desperately trying to convince Dembele to pen fresh terms, meaning City's mooted interest would be likely to come to an end.
Personally, I don't see the sense in City trying to pursue Dembele. His talent is undeniable but he's suffered way too many injuries to be considered a viable option, especially given the intense regime he'd be expected to work under if he did link up with Guardiola.
Would you like to see City sign Dembele? Follow City Is Ours content editor Ross Jackson on Twitter to get involved in the discussion and give us your thoughts in the comments section below.
