A long time ago, The “Special One” Jose Mourinho and his arch-rival Pep Guardiola were the closest of friends. The two had a gala time at Nou Camp where Mourinho was an assistant and Guardiola, a tactically gifted midfielder. Fast forward a decade and the friends have turned to bitter rivals. They’ve fought numerous derbies against each other, the most scintillating being the El-Classico.

The rivalry is set to rekindle with Manchester City under Pep Guardiola as it currently leads the table on goal difference, while, Mourinho’s Manchester United sits third with the same number of points. The first showdown in the Premier League between the two most successful managers’ in recent years promises a whole new level of electrifying frenzy in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford.

Renewed rivalry takes centre-stage in Manchester Derby

It is the rivalry between a person, who cares about winning at all costs (Mourinho) and the football classicist (Guardiola). So far, it is the tactically gifted midfielder who enjoys the dominance against the Portuguese master-mind. Guardiola’s Tiki-Taka has won him seven of the 16 fixtures, and thus the war so far.

However, the newly appointed Manchester United manager would look to seize the opportunity as city rivals are without some key players who shape the team.

“Joe Hart is out on loan, Vincent Kompany is sure to miss the game due to his recovery from thigh strain and Sergio Aguero suspended. The spine of Manchester City that won two titles in last five years is ruled out from the derby.”

Not because, he would like to settle the score from Spain. But simply because it as an opportunity he must grasp to extend his team’s chances of winning the Premier League. Football in England is quite opposed to that of Spain or anywhere else in the world. There is no surety of who would take the coveted trophy home.

We all saw what happened in the last season.

Neither Mourinho nor Guardiola can afford to put all their attention on each other in England. For, if they do, there are other sharks waiting patiently to pick advantage of the situation and score brownie-points for their respective team.

Manchester is the centre of the footballing world

For some years, Manchester has been at the heart of English football. The once known “noisy neighbours” of Roberto Mancini emerged to take some glory out of Sir Alex Ferguson’s United. Between 2009 and 2013 both the Manchester clubs produced some miraculous results in their favour. The Manchester derby ended up being repeat offenders, both on and off the pitch whenever the reds and the blues collided.

This was a tale of an established super-power being piqued and intimidated by the wealthy unknown from across the road. However, this clash ensured that the Manchester Derby crackled with tension through-out.

The departure of the legendary Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson left a huge gap in the team. And the noisy neighbours have turned the table since. Now, it is Manchester United who happens to be the strugglers (since 2013), while, Manchester City the established power. 

With two of the world’s most wanted, desired and admired managers taking over the Manchester Clubs. Manchester is no longer just at the heart of English football but has reincarnated a rivalry that the whole footballing world wants to see.

This Manchester Derby is not just about the “Red Devils” and the “Citizens”, it is not just about a rising force against an established one, it is not even about Jose Mourinho or Pep Guardiola. This is about being the pride of Manchester, of the people of Manchester.

Picture Courtesy: Abhishek Sharma, SkySports