Saturday briefing: Guardiola misses press conference as Arteta makes Messi claim

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola missed his pre-match press duties due to a personal matter, while Michael Carrick was taking nothing for granted following his dream start as Manchester United manager.

Mikel Arteta compared Max Dowman to Lionel Messi after the teenage sensation committed his future to Arsenal.

Family, friends and Nottingham Forest greats paid their respects at the funeral of John Robertson.

Guardiola misses press conference

The City boss was due to hold a lunchtime briefing to preview Sunday’s Premier League game at Tottenham but assistant boss Pep Lijnders took his place.

City did not provide details of Guardiola’s absence. He was expected to travel back to the UK on Friday and oversee training on Saturday as planned.

Lijnders said: “The manager is good, as always, full of ambition and passion but it is a personal matter. He will arrive back here in Manchester today (Friday).”

Carrick will not take Fulham lightly

Michael Carrick told Manchester United it would be “bang out of order” to assume his dream return will continue with a win against Fulham.

The former Red Devils midfielder, captain and coach has brought hope back to Old Trafford thanks to a jaw-dropping start to life as head coach for the remainder of the season.

United followed an impressive 2-0 derby win against Manchester City in Carrick’s first match with a thrilling 3-2 triumph at Premier League leaders Arsenal last weekend.

“Tough game, really tough challenge,” Carrick said of Fulham. “Just because we are at home taking anything for granted is bang out of order, really.”

Arteta makes Messi comparison

Dowman, who made his debut in the Gunners’ 5-0 win against Leeds in August aged 15 years and 234 days, has reached an agreement which will tick over into a pro deal when he turns 17 on December 31.

When asked where the teenage sensation sat among academy players he had seen come through the ranks, Arteta, who was on Barcelona’s books at the same time as Messi, said: “Well, certainly one of the best.

“What he has done with us, me personally, I haven’t seen before. Only with a guy that used to play in Barcelona – but maybe not even that.”

Forest greats attend John Robertson funeral

Family and friends were joined by some of Nottingham Forest’s greats to bid farewell to John Robertson at the former winger’s funeral.

Robertson, who died aged 72 on Christmas Day after a long illness, started and ended his career at the City Ground, either side of a spell at local rivals Derby.

The former Scotland international played an integral part in Forest’s European Cup victories in 1979 and 1980.

Robertson, who won 28 caps for his country, was mourned by former Forest players Roy Keane, Stuart Pearce, Frank Clark, Viv Anderson, Martin O’Neill, Tony Woodcock, John McGovern and Garry Birtles at Rushcliffe Oaks Crematorium in Nottingham.

What’s on today?

Leaders Arsenal travel to Leeds in one of five Premier League fixtures.

Liverpool host Newcastle in the late kick-off, while Chelsea take on London rivals West Ham, Brighton face Everton, and bottom club Wolves welcome Bournemouth to Molineux.

Table-topping Hearts play away to Dundee United in one of four Scottish Premiership matches.