Manchester United refuse rivals Manchester City derby day access for documentary film crew at Old Trafford
- Manchester City are four months into £10million season-long documentary
- Manchester United are refusing access to film crew at this weekend's derby
- They will be unable to capture intimate moments before or after Sunday's clash
- Move by United seems like first act of derby-day point-scoring over rivals
Manchester United have refused a film crew behind-the-scenes access at Old Trafford in what could be construed as an act of derby-day point-scoring.
Manchester City are four months into a £10million, season-long documentary series produced by Amazon Prime, charting their second campaign with Pep Guardiola in charge.
But in a serious blow, they will be unable to capture intimate moments before or after Sunday's clash.
Manchester United have blocked Manchester City's documentary film crew access
City are four months into a £10million documentary and have been thwarted by their rivals
Guardiola's side can go 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League with victory, and exclusive clips of what could be a significant day would have been priceless. United sources said the rejection was a logistical decision.
They claim 23 rights-holders, 19 of which are foreign broadcasters, will already be in the tunnel area.
It means the Amazon crew will not be allowed into Guardiola's dressing-room either. They are believed to have a station pitchside to shoot footage.
City are likely to be disappointed by the developments ahead of the documentary’ s release in 2018, which they hope will showcase a trophy-laden year.
Sportsmail revealed last month that the Amazon deal has been the source of consternation among some Premier League rivals.
Pep Guardiola's men are the subject of an Amazon Prime documentary charting their season
Guardiola heads across town having led City to wins in all seven of their away matches so far, and 14 out of 15 in all, but United midfielder Paul Pogba believes their lead in the table is surmountable.
The Frenchman will miss the first of three matches after being suspended for stamping on Arsenal's Hector Bellerin last Saturday.
Pogba is preparing to help his team-mates by acting as an extension of Jose Mourinho's backroom staff in the build-up.
He said: 'I will be there to help the team mentally. I need to be there to boost the team. I have complete trust in them. They need to win because they know that we are behind and we are closing.'
Paul Pogba will be helping his team-mates in an advisory capacity as he is banned
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