{"id":454,"date":"2016-09-09T03:00:22","date_gmt":"2016-09-09T07:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=454"},"modified":"2016-09-08T19:07:26","modified_gmt":"2016-09-08T23:07:26","slug":"172nd-manchester-derby-united-vs-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2016\/09\/09\/172nd-manchester-derby-united-vs-city\/","title":{"rendered":"The 172nd Manchester Derby: United vs City"},"content":{"rendered":"

Saturday sees Old Trafford<\/strong> host the 172nd<\/sup> Manchester Derby<\/strong> between United<\/strong> and City<\/strong>. The added bonus of the two men in charge has given it an extra twist. If the match itself wasn\u2019t hyped enough, the Jos\u00e9 Mourinho<\/strong> and Pep Guardiola<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

Current Form<\/h3>\n

Both United and City have had a perfect start to the Premier League<\/strong> season, winning three out of three. United also have the bonus that they beat reigning champions Leicester City<\/strong> in the Community Shield<\/strong> last month. City have played one competitive game more than their rivals. They secured qualification to the Champions League<\/strong> group phase with a 5-0 aggregate win over Steaua Bucharest<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

United began with a win at Bournemouth<\/strong> on the opening day, and followed it with a 2-0 victory over Southampton<\/strong>. Their last gasp victory over Hull City<\/strong> 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<\/strong> showed his predatory instincts to tap in the winner.<\/p>\n

City almost got off to a disappointing start, with their win over Sunderland<\/strong> being secured thanks to a Paddy McNair<\/strong> own goal. Their next two games saw victory secured by a late showing. At Stoke City<\/strong>, with the Blues 2-1 up, Nolito<\/strong> hit a double in the last four minutes to dash their opponent\u2019s hopes. Against West Ham United<\/strong> it was a two goal blast from Raheem Sterling, his second in injury time, that sealed a 3-1 win.<\/p>\n

Both sides seem unrecognisable from the way they played last season. Even in the games where they haven\u2019t especially played well, they have still had enough to win. It\u2019s probably safe to say this wouldn\u2019t have happened last season. It\u2019s also a fair point that neither side have been tested by any of the Premier League\u2019s top teams. Saturday will prove the sternest examination so far for both clubs.<\/p>\n

Managers<\/h3>\n

Mourinho doesn\u2019t 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<\/strong>. They seem willing to take risks, and work to win the ball back if they should lose it.<\/p>\n

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<\/strong> and Marouane Fellaini<\/strong> are prime examples of this. Mourinho has seen his efforts rewarded with the Premier League Manager of the Month<\/strong> award for August.<\/p>\n

Guardiola is trying to instil a new way of playing for his troops. There is no question that his methods will take time. \u00a0So 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<\/strong> football.<\/p>\n

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<\/strong>, and Guardiola a player there. It\u2019s no secret that they were once quite close. Several clashes as managers have since put paid to that friendship.<\/p>\n

Pundits and fans alike will be glued to their screens before, during and after the game. The two manager\u2019s clashes, both on the touchline and in press conferences, were legendary during their time in La Liga<\/strong>. When they were managers of Real Madrid<\/strong> and Barcelona, respectively, their rivalry ensured El Classico<\/strong> could usually be counted on to erupt.<\/p>\n

Team News\u2014United<\/h3>\n

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<\/strong> regardless. After sitting out their defeat to Spain<\/strong>, he returned to play in their midweek victory over Cyprus<\/strong>. Morgan Schneiderlin<\/strong>, Ander Herrera<\/strong> and Michael Carrick<\/strong> are on standby if Fellaini is not passed fit.<\/p>\n

Luke Shaw<\/strong> started the season in the same vein of form he displayed before his horrific injury last season. He was withdrawn from the England<\/strong> squad last weekend after feeling a problem in his calf. Sam Allardyce<\/strong> 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<\/p>\n

Henrikh Mkhitaryan<\/strong> suffered a thigh strain while on duty with Armenia<\/strong>, and will be assessed upon his return to Carrington<\/strong>. He has posted on Twitter<\/strong> 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\u2019s likely that he would be on the bench if so.<\/p>\n

Jesse Lingard<\/strong> looked superb in the Community Shield, scoring United\u2019s opening goal. He later picked up an injury and hasn\u2019t featured since then. There is no official word yet as to when he is expected to return.<\/p>\n

Another decision Mourinho will have to make is on his South American<\/strong> stars. Antonio Valencia, Sergio Romero<\/strong> and Marcos Rojo<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

Marcus Rashford hit a superb hat-trick for the England Under-21<\/strong> side on Tuesday. This has seen supporters calling for the man who scored the winner at the Etihad<\/strong> last season to start. This seems unlikely, given that United have won their opening three games with Zlatan <\/strong>Ibrahimovi\u0107 up front. It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Likely line-up: De Gea, Valencia, Bailley, Blind, Shaw, Fellaini, Pogba, Martial, Mata, Rooney, Ibrahimovic.<\/em><\/p>\n

Team News\u2014City<\/strong><\/h3>\n

City\u2019s biggest miss on Saturday is likely to be that of Sergio Ag\u00fcero<\/strong>. The striker was banned by the F.A.<\/strong> for an incident involving West Ham\u2019s Winston Reid<\/strong>. The Argentina<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

Ag\u00fcero\u2019s absence, plus Wilfried Bony<\/strong>\u2019s loan to Stoke, means that Kelechi Iheanacho<\/strong> 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<\/strong> from the left wing into the central striking role. The Spanish forward has played there before, and Guardiola may trust in his experience.<\/p>\n

Bacary Sagna<\/strong>\u2019s hamstring injury meant he was a major doubt for Saturday\u2019s game, but seems to have recovered<\/a>. Club captain Vincent Kompany <\/strong>is yet to feature this season, having so far been ruled out with a thigh injury. John Stones <\/strong>and Nicol\u00e1s Otamendi<\/strong> are likely to feature at centre back. Aleksandar Kolarov<\/strong> has played there already, but seems likely to be shifted to left back, his natural position.<\/p>\n

Summer signings \u0130lkay G\u00fcndo\u011fan<\/strong> and Leroy San\u00e9<\/strong> are yet to kick a ball for the club. Both players arrived injured, but are back in training. Sane has already declared himself fit<\/a> for contention, but is unlikely to start. Their most recent signing, Claudio Bravo<\/strong> from Barcelona, is expected to start his first game for the club. He has inherited Joe Hart<\/strong>\u2019s number 1 shirt, following the goalkeeper\u2019s loan to Torino<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

David Silva<\/strong> has been impressive in early season, after a rather muted campaign last time around. It is likely he will be partnered with Fernandinho<\/strong> and De Bruyne<\/strong> in midfield. Yaya Tour\u00e9<\/strong>, so dominant this fixture in recent years, has yet to make a Premier League appearance this term.<\/p>\n

Likely line up: Bravo, Sagna, Stones, Otamendi, Kolarov, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Silva, Sterling, Nolito, Iheanacho.<\/em><\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h3>\n

Referee Mark Clattenburg<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

Many people have marked this down as a potential title decider. In truth it\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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<\/sup> Manchester Derby promises to be a game nobody will want to miss.<\/p>\n

main photo<\/p>\n

\n
Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n