Saturday sees Old Trafford host the 172nd Manchester Derby between United and City. The added bonus of the two men in charge has given it an extra twist. If the match itself wasn’t hyped enough, the José Mourinho and Pep Guardiola story will add a new chapter. For the first time in history, this fixture will focus just as much on the managers as it will the players.
Current Form
Both United and City have had a perfect start to the Premier League season, winning three out of three. United also have the bonus that they beat reigning champions Leicester City in the Community Shield last month. City have played one competitive game more than their rivals. They secured qualification to the Champions League group phase with a 5-0 aggregate win over Steaua Bucharest.
United began with a win at Bournemouth on the opening day, and followed it with a 2-0 victory over Southampton. Their last gasp victory over Hull City was a throwback to the days of Alex Ferguson. Despite dominating for large periods, it looked like it was going to be a frustrating day. This was until Marcus Rashford showed his predatory instincts to tap in the winner.
City almost got off to a disappointing start, with their win over Sunderland being secured thanks to a Paddy McNair own goal. Their next two games saw victory secured by a late showing. At Stoke City, with the Blues 2-1 up, Nolito hit a double in the last four minutes to dash their opponent’s hopes. Against West Ham United it was a two goal blast from Raheem Sterling, his second in injury time, that sealed a 3-1 win.
Both sides seem unrecognisable from the way they played last season. Even in the games where they haven’t especially played well, they have still had enough to win. It’s probably safe to say this wouldn’t have happened last season. It’s also a fair point that neither side have been tested by any of the Premier League’s top teams. Saturday will prove the sternest examination so far for both clubs.
Managers
Mourinho doesn’t seem to have altered the team shape too much, but is getting a different tune from his players. Their prime focus is no longer keeping the ball, as was the case under Louis van Gaal. They seem willing to take risks, and work to win the ball back if they should lose it.
He seems to have given a new sense of freedom to the team. As a result, players who were previously criticised by the fans are now key players. Antonio Valencia and Marouane Fellaini are prime examples of this. Mourinho has seen his efforts rewarded with the Premier League Manager of the Month award for August.
Guardiola is trying to instil a new way of playing for his troops. There is no question that his methods will take time. So far it has been individual brilliance rather than teamwork that has won matches. Once they start clicking as a unit, we should see whether or not his style of play will work in English football.
The rivalry between Mourinho and Guardiola needs no introduction. Anybody who follows football will know that they are not exactly best of friends. This in contrast to when Mourinho was a coach at Barcelona, and Guardiola a player there. It’s no secret that they were once quite close. Several clashes as managers have since put paid to that friendship.
Pundits and fans alike will be glued to their screens before, during and after the game. The two manager’s clashes, both on the touchline and in press conferences, were legendary during their time in La Liga. When they were managers of Real Madrid and Barcelona, respectively, their rivalry ensured El Classico could usually be counted on to erupt.
Team News—United
United have a few concerns ahead of this weekend. Fellaini suffered a back problem in the win over Hull City, but joined up with Belgium regardless. After sitting out their defeat to Spain, he returned to play in their midweek victory over Cyprus. Morgan Schneiderlin, Ander Herrera and Michael Carrick are on standby if Fellaini is not passed fit.
Luke Shaw started the season in the same vein of form he displayed before his horrific injury last season. He was withdrawn from the England squad last weekend after feeling a problem in his calf. Sam Allardyce has said this was a precautionary measure, and that he expects the left back to be fit for the derby. Whether Mourinho agrees with this will only be answered in Saturday
Henrikh Mkhitaryan suffered a thigh strain while on duty with Armenia, and will be assessed upon his return to Carrington. He has posted on Twitter that he hopes to be fit, but it remains to be seen whether he will be. Given that he has yet to start a game, it’s likely that he would be on the bench if so.
Jesse Lingard looked superb in the Community Shield, scoring United’s opening goal. He later picked up an injury and hasn’t featured since then. There is no official word yet as to when he is expected to return.
Another decision Mourinho will have to make is on his South American stars. Antonio Valencia, Sergio Romero and Marcos Rojo are not expected back in Manchester until Friday. This leaves them only 24 hours to be fit for contention. Although Valencia is the only one who would likely be a certain starter, the others would probably make the squad.
Marcus Rashford hit a superb hat-trick for the England Under-21 side on Tuesday. This has seen supporters calling for the man who scored the winner at the Etihad last season to start. This seems unlikely, given that United have won their opening three games with Zlatan Ibrahimović up front. It’s also fair to say that his explosive pace would be a real asset if introduced from the bench. Running at tiring defenders, Rashford could well be the game changer.
Likely line-up: De Gea, Valencia, Bailley, Blind, Shaw, Fellaini, Pogba, Martial, Mata, Rooney, Ibrahimovic.
Team News—City
City’s biggest miss on Saturday is likely to be that of Sergio Agüero. The striker was banned by the F.A. for an incident involving West Ham’s Winston Reid. The Argentina international has scored six goals from four games so far this season. He also has a habit of scoring against United. The derby will be the first of a three match ban, for the charge of violent conduct.
Agüero’s absence, plus Wilfried Bony’s loan to Stoke, means that Kelechi Iheanacho could be in line to start up front. With 14 goals last season, he will fancy his chances of making an impact. Another option would be to move new signing Nolito from the left wing into the central striking role. The Spanish forward has played there before, and Guardiola may trust in his experience.
Bacary Sagna’s hamstring injury meant he was a major doubt for Saturday’s game, but seems to have recovered. Club captain Vincent Kompany is yet to feature this season, having so far been ruled out with a thigh injury. John Stones and Nicolás Otamendi are likely to feature at centre back. Aleksandar Kolarov has played there already, but seems likely to be shifted to left back, his natural position.
Summer signings İlkay Gündoğan and Leroy Sané are yet to kick a ball for the club. Both players arrived injured, but are back in training. Sane has already declared himself fit for contention, but is unlikely to start. Their most recent signing, Claudio Bravo from Barcelona, is expected to start his first game for the club. He has inherited Joe Hart’s number 1 shirt, following the goalkeeper’s loan to Torino.
David Silva has been impressive in early season, after a rather muted campaign last time around. It is likely he will be partnered with Fernandinho and De Bruyne in midfield. Yaya Touré, so dominant this fixture in recent years, has yet to make a Premier League appearance this term.
Likely line up: Bravo, Sagna, Stones, Otamendi, Kolarov, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Silva, Sterling, Nolito, Iheanacho.
Conclusion
Referee Mark Clattenburg will have his hands full at Old Trafford on Saturday. Tempers always rise in derby matches, and the Manchester one is no different. Both sides feature a variety of world class players, all eager to impress their manager. A good performance in this fixture will go some way to doing just that.
Many people have marked this down as a potential title decider. In truth it’s too early in the season for it to be that. Neither side has played enough games under their new manager to be judged just yet. All that Saturday’s match will do is give us an indication of where both teams are at the moment. The return fixture at the Etihad in February should provide a clearer picture in terms of the title race.
It is a frightening thought to imagine what they will be like when both sides hit top gear. If it happens on Saturday then it could be an incredible match. The 172nd Manchester Derby promises to be a game nobody will want to miss.
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