Manchester United and Manchester City’s French players are set to party in Paris on Sunday night, irrespective of the result of the Manchester derby, sources have told ESPN FC.
United’s Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial as well as City’s Benjamin Mendy are set to head to the French capital by private jet after the game at the Etihad Stadium to celebrate a friend’s birthday.
But a few hours earlier, they will be big rivals as they go head-to-head in the derby with City hoping to move 12 points clear of United in the Premier League.
Pogba and Mendy have known each other since they were together as youngsters at Le Havre’s youth academy and have maintained that friendship in Manchester.
They meet regularly and have been spotted at restaurants in the city centre along with other players including United’s Eric Bailly, Marouane Fellaini and City’s Riyad Mahrez.
France’s players are due back in the country ahead of the Nations League clash with Netherlands on Nov. 16 and friendly with Uruguay four days later.
The national squad have become very close following their success at the 2018 World Cup.