The much awaited and hyped clash between the two Manchester-based teams is all set to take place tomorrow. Needless to say, excitement runs high on both sides as this promises to be an epic clash between the tactical brilliance of Jose Mourinho and the attacking effectiveness of Pep Guardiola.
The rivalry between the two teams is intense and the build-up to the match is only made a lot more relevant by the injury updates of the two teams. Jose Mourinho earlier today assured the supporters that both Luke Shaw and Henrikh Mkhitaryan would be fit to play in the upcoming derby.
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Both Manchester City and Manchester United have a perfect record after three games played this season. City sit comfortably at the top of the points table with a goal difference of +6. The momentum these two teams have been carrying on with seems to ensure a stellar spectacle at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Also read: Analysing Henrikh Mkhitaryan's potential impact at Manchester United
The question as to whether Mkhitaryan would feature in this all-important game was a pretty poignant one throughout the week ever since the Armenian picked up a thigh injury during international duty. The 27-year old sat out Armenia's world cup qualifier clash against Denmark and suggested that he was not completely sure of his fitness for the Manchester Derby.
On the other hand, Luke Shaw did not feature in England's game against Slovakia citing a slight calf injury. Marouane Fellaini was the subject of an injury scare too after reports of a back problem emerged following the victory over Hull City. The Belgian, however, seems to have recovered as he played his part for the Belgium national side with no apparent problems.
Also read: EPL 2016-17: Manchester City's Ideal XI for the Manchester Derby
Mkhitaryan is yet to start a game at his new club but manager Jose Mourinho is not particularly concerned with the number of minutes he plays for United. The only issue the boss seems to care about, as of now, is the quality of Mkhitaryan's contribution to the upcoming games.
“He is available,” Mourinho told MUTV. “I’m not saying he’s ready to play 90 minutes but he’s ready to try to help us.”
Mourinho also went one step further to declare that “everyone” is available for the game tomorrow. Needless to say, he is not very keen on dropping any hints regarding his team selection until the last minute.
Sergio Aguero suspended for the derby
Manchester City will be playing without a key player as Sergio Aguero is currently serving a three-match suspension for violent conduct against West Ham's Winston Reid. This is City's first game without Wilfried Bony, Joe Hart and Samir Nasri. A lot of interest is inevitably being directed to this clash.
Speaking about the attitude of his team towards the game, Mourinho further added, "I know what the derby means to Manchester United. If you want to be successful, you have to win the game.”
The Manchester derby will be the first meeting of the two managers in England and it should be a great spectacle for all football fans.
