What a way to re-start the Premier League campaign after an interesting international break. It doesn’t get any better than the Manchester Derby, the once known supreme rulers Manchester United lock horns against their neighbours on the rise, Manchester City. It has been quite ideal a start for both the Manchester teams (three wins), and no doubt, they would want to continue it throughout the campaign. However, one of them may have to suffer for the other to reign supreme and go three crucial points clear of their rivals. It also brings out one of the fiercest managerial rivalry of modern football.

Derby history

The previous derby fought between the reds and the blues ended in a sweet victory for Manchester United in March,2016. Marcus Rashford was the star of the match, netting the only goal at the Etihad stadium to secure the victory for the red devils. City, on the other hand, is yet to register a win at the Old Trafford since 2014.

* Since the EPL era

What’s at stake at the Manchester Derby?

The fixture is always filled with excitement, aggression and passion. It is one of the fiercest rivalries in world football. The pleasure of being the pride of Manchester is at stake, and that is not an easy acclaim to hold these days.

Manchester United have the pace and quality to blast through any top defence. The experience of Zlatan Ibrahimovic added with the pace of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial is a deadly attack. What makes it even more difficult for City is the presence of former Dortmund maestro Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

However, the absence of Sergio Aguero might sound like a good thing for the red side of Manchester, however, it may not be so. The absence of Aguero will force Guardiola to use tactics that are difficult to predict, implying Mourinho’s boys cannot afford to lose focus for even a second.

On the other hand, Pep Guardiola has already announced that the former Blaugrana goalkeeper Claudio Bravo will step up to the task for the Manchester Derby. While, the presence of Ilkay Gundogan in the midfield will add more creativity to the City attack, alongside the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva.

The lack of talismanic striker Sergio Aguero is likely to hurt the “sky blues” attack line, but the young Nigerian forward Kelechi Iheanacho should not be underestimated.

Predictions

Guardiola will be looking to give his Manchester City the 50th derby victory over arch-rivals Manchester United. And as both teams have won their first three premier league matches for the first time since 2011, neither would like to put a defeat on their current record.

The most likely outcome from this fixture is that of a draw, and perhaps a scoreless one. But the intensity and the vigour of the game is sure to keep the heart-rate of the supporters at the very peak.

Image Courtesy: Manchester United, The Telegraph