Enzo Maresca brands Man Utd the Premier League’s biggest long-ball merchants ahead of Manchester derby

ENZO MARESCA has branded Manchester United the Premier League’s number one long-ball merchants. The Manchester City boss expects United to go direct in today’s powder keg derby. Enzo Maresca has called Man United a long ball team Credit: EPA Harry Maguire is not afraid to pump the ball up the pitch Credit: Getty The Italian has done his homework as City look to improve on just one win in their last four Old Trafford visits. Maresca said: “They are the team in the Premier League at the moment who plays the most balls in behind. Sign up for the Man United newsletter Thank you! “It’s quite clear that they’re very dangerous and they don’t need many passes. They are quite direct when they recover the ball.” Maresca is not the first Prem boss to slap the Red Devils with that label. Arne Slot did so last October when United, then bossed by Ruben Amorim, won 2-1 at Liverpool. Slot said: “It is always difficult to play against a team that defends in a low block and mainly plays the long ball.” City have won all three Prem games so far. United boss Michael Carrick is trying to build on the 5-2 win over ­Ipswich in their last home Prem game. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS City have £116million midfielder Elliot Anderson — who rejected a move to United in the summer. But Maresca believes midfield pal Enzo Fernandez could play an even more crucial role. He added: “You can see how team-mates talk about Enzo in terms of winning mentality. “Players who have already won, and know how to win — it is important they’re in our squad.” Comment now