The world will come to a halt for the first Manchester derby of the season tomorrow, as Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho square off in England for the first time. The Portuguese boss has loads of experience in the Premier League, having led Chelsea to three titles, as well as other domestic cups.
And he will be looking to get one over his bitter rival when the Manchester clubs meet on Saturday, and he will be feeling pretty confident given the options at his disposal. Mourinho, as usual, has a top-class squad from which to choose players from, but what should his starting XI look like?
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Goalkeeper – David De Gea
A no-brainer, that one. De Gea is Spain’s first-choice stopper and has been United’s best player for the last three seasons. He has hardly put a foot (or hand) wrong ever since joining the Red Devils, and it would be quite absurd to see Sergio Romero between the sticks come Saturday.
Defence
Right back: Antonio Valencia
The Ecuadorean has made a great start to the season under Mourinho and is certainly the club’s best option at left back. His displays have been nothing short of spectacular thus far. And having served as a winger before being shifted to the full-back position, Valencia is able to run at defenders and operate on the flank with pace and efficiency.
Nolito could shift to the forward position for City, with Sergio Aguero to serve the first of his three-match ban. This means that Valencia could be up against Fabian Delph or new-boy Leroy Sane, both of whom poses quite a threat.
Centre-back: Eric Bailly
Another player getting top marks this season, Eric Bailly has adjusted quite well to his new surroundings. Mourinho bought the centre-back for £30m from Villarreal this summer, and he already seems like money well spent. Bailly is a great tackler and is good at recovering possession as he intercepts with astute timing. He can also dribble the ball up the field out of defence.
Fortunately, he won’t be facing Aguero just yet, but Nolito does present great danger up front for City and Pep Guardiola may play him at the point of attack. The Spanish boss also has the option of playing Kelechi Iheanacho. And Bailly will need to put another great defensive performance in if he is to help his team win this first derby.
Centre-back: Daley Blind
Daley Blind has proven quite the revelation since being shifted from midfield to centre-back. The Dutchman is good at tackling and ball interception as well, but his excellent vision and ability to pass the ball sets him apart from United’s other defenders.
Like Bailly, he won’t be facing the prolific Aguero on Saturday. However, he will need to give a good account of himself in Mourinho’s backline, as he's more than likely to start.
Left-back: Luke Shaw
The 23-year-old full-back was a doubt for this match, however, Mourinho said that he is fit to play, speaking in his Friday presser ahead of the clash. Shaw was sidelined for most of last season after suffering a gruesome leg break in a match against PSV Eindhoven last September, but his return to fitness has boosted the side.
He will have his work cut out for him if he does play, though. With Raheem Sterling sparkling under Guardiola this season, it will take a mammoth performance from Shaw to keep the young attacker quiet.
Midfield
Henrikh Mkhitaryan
The versatile Armenian is well able to hold his own on the right flank, and would cause Gael Clichy no end of problems. Mkhitaryan scored 13 goals and assisted 20 more for Borussia Dortmund last season, and though he has only shown glimpses at United, you can be sure that the best is yet to come.
He hasn’t started a match as yet this season, but with Mourinho announcing him fully fit, it certainly won’t hurt to chuck him in there.
Juan Mata
Mourinho has stuck with Marouane Fellaini in the middle this season, but perhaps Mata would be the better option for this game. The Spaniard, playing in a more central role, could unlock City’s defence with his superb passing ability.
He’s not that much of a physical specimen, yet with Pogba as his midfield partner, he wouldn’t have to worry too much about dropping back or anything of the sort.
Paul Pogba
The Frenchman is back at United after spending four successful years at Juventus and should have a huge impact on this match if he’s at his best.
Mourinho will need Pogba to dominate in the air, break up play, and push forward when the time is right. He may have to keep tabs on both Kevin de Bruyne and Fernandinho, so his concentration must be on point.
Marcus Rashford
The boy wonder may not get the nod for this one, but he’s certainly deserving. Rashford’s rise to fame has been remarkable, and he keeps backing the hype up with good performances every game.
He came on as a substitute to win United’s last game at the death, and the change in play was obvious when he was thrust into the action. It’s really hard to play him ahead of Anthony Martial, and that’s understandable. Yet Mourinho may find that he reaps the rewards in this one if the youngster starts.
Wayne Rooney
The captain has been under a lot of criticism lately, mostly for his performances for the England side, but he’s still top class and should get the nod in this one.
Rooney is one of United’s most creative players, and slotting in behind Zlatan, he could be quite dangerous. He carved out the opportunity for Rashford in the match vs Hull, and the Red Devils will need his influence in this one.
Forward
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water and has scored four goals in his first four competitive appearances for United.
If there’s one player capable of dominating the City defence in every way, it’s Zlatan. The striker is strong with the ball at his feet, as well as in the air, and is an absolute beast in the box.
Guardiola will have drilled his defenders and stressed on the importance of containing the big Swede, yet there’s just nothing they can do when he’s on song.
