Manchester (England): Featuring the rekindling of Pep Guardiola’s rivalry with Jose Mourinho, an all-star supporting cast and a host of tantalising sub-plots, Saturday’s Manchester derby could be the most feverishly anticipated ever. The two clubs have competed on an even footing since around 2010, two years after Manchester City’s acquisition by the Abu Dhabi United Group, but they have never hogged the limelight quite so selfishly.
Both have boosted their ranks with big-money signings, both have won their first three games and both see Saturday’s match as an opportunity to stake an early claim for the Premier League title. “I’ve played in derby games in Germany, but this should be a great match and one I’m really looking forward to, especially because Pep Guardiola is taking on Jose Mourinho. “It’s going to be exciting and I hope I can play some part and help us bring back three points.”
The Premier League trophy spent four consecutive years in Manchester between 2011 and 2014, Manchester United winning it in 2011 and 2013 and City in 2012 and 2014. But the Manchester clubs could not match Chelsea’s pace in 2015 and fell off the title map altogether last season, prompting seismic managerial changes on both sides of town. Guardiola and Mourinho are two of the three best-paid managers in world football — along with Carlo Ancelotti, Guardiola’s successor at Bayern Munich — and they were quick to get to work. Both have renovated their squads in pointed fashion. Both have hit the ground running.
Up to five City players could get their first experience of the derby at the same time as Guardiola. Captain Vincent Kompany and right-back Bacary Sagna are also at Guardiola’s disposal after groin and hamstring injuries respectively.
