The Manchester Derby is a very prestigious and high tension affair. It will be the opening game of the this weekend’s premier league fixtures. The Guardiola-Mourinho rivalry is set to be reignited which is just one of the many head-to-head battles to look forward to.
But something that would catch the eye on Derby day is the value of the two teams on the day. Both managers have spent heavily in the transfer market to improve their squads. The Manchester clubs are the highest spenders this window as well.
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This spending spree is a result of the below par performances by both teams last season. Manchester City after a very bright start last season faded away towards the end of the season and almost cost themselves a Top 4 spot.
Only Manchester United’s comparatively poorer results saved them in the end, with Louis Van Gaal only managing a 5th place finish. Both teams have recruited new managers in an attempt to restore their authority in the league.
As reported by the Times Manchester City have spent a total of £168 million in the transfer market. The likes of Leroy sane, Ilkay Gundogan, Nolito and most notable John Stones have joined the ranks.
United are not too far behind, hav9ign spent £145 million. A bulk of that sum was invested in bringing Paul Pogba back from Juventus.
Even without Sergio Aguero, this derby will showcase some of the most expensive players, with the total value expected to reach a figure of £600 million, given the squads that are named are similar to the ones that have featured in the league so far.
Here is the list of the transfer value and probable starting XIs of both teams:
| Manchester United | Manchester City | ||
| Player Name | Transfer Value | Player Name | Transfer Value |
| David De Gea | £17 Million | Claudio Bravo | £13.5 Million |
| Valencia | £16 Million | Zabaleta | £6.5 Million |
| Bailly | £30 Million | Stones | £47.5 Million |
| Blind | £14 Million | Otamendi | £32 Million |
| Shaw | £27 Million | Clichy | £7 Million |
| Pogba | £89 Million | Fernandinho | £30 Million |
| Fellaini | £27.5 Million | Sterling | £44 Million |
| Mata | £37.1 Million | De Bruyne | £54.8 Million |
| Rooney | £30 Million | Silva | £25 Million |
| Martial | £36.2 Million | Nolito | £13.8 Million |
| Ibrahimovic | Free | Iheanacho | £0.25 Million |
| Total: | £323.9 Million | Total | £274.6 Million |
United have a more expensive squad on paper as compared to Manchester City, but if you include the £38 million or so fee for Sergio Aguero the affair might have been a much closer one. The total value comes to be around £600 million. If the same squads do take to the field on Saturday, then it will be the most expensive derby played.
