The fourth round brings us big derby clash between two Manchester sides, a game which many anticipated when Guardiola decided to join Manchester City and later on when Jose Mourinho took the helm of the Red Devils, because let’s face it, with these two coaches, it’s never boring. Many El Clasico games proved that.
PREMIER LEAGUE
September 10, 2016 • 12:30 • Old Trafford, Manchester
Referee: M. Clattenburg
Manchester United – Manchester City Live Streams
Manchester derby game is an opening game of the fourth round this Saturday and interest for this game is somewhat larger than usual, considering two things which have changed, Mourinho vs Guardiola and huge signings of both teams this summer. Both teams are 100% perfect, meaning with Chelsea, only these two have all three wins from the first three rounds. United recently have been somewhat more successful in mutual clashes, with one win and one draw at home, while in March this year and the Etihad the Red Devils have managed to snatch a minimum 1-0 win.
Derby game is always fun to watch, and everything suggests that this one will be fun to watch as well. We already said above, that in main focus will be two coaches and then new signings, but a big derby like this is bigger than any player or coach. Considering that Chelsea will play on Sunday, a winner here can take at least temporarily top, while a draw would put the Citizens on top due to better goal difference. Stake is big, because no one wants to lose derby game.
United led by Mourinho in particular looked good in the first three games. First they won the English Super Cup against the reigning champions Leicester City with a 2:1 win, while after that in the Premier league Mourinho’s men typed two secure victories, away at Bournemouth 3: 1 and at home with a 2: 0 win over Southampton. In the last round away at Hull City, the Red Devils have celebrated but it wasn’t an easy win, as the substitute Rashford fired a late winner in the 92nd minute.
For the clash with the Citizens due to injuries Mourinho can’t count on Shaw, midfielder Fellaini and two wingers Lingard and Mkhitaryan, while on the bench and likely to remain quite tired defenders Valencia and Rojo.
Probable lineup of Manchester United: De Gea – Darmian, Smalling, Bailly, Blind – Pogba, Herrera – Mata, Rooney, Martial – Ibrahimovic
Man City under Guardiola is looking good, things have changed, but the Spaniard didn’t have enough time to work all stuff as he wants it. Still the Citizens are looking sharp, compact and they are enrolling wins, which is the most important. With three Premier league wins, after finishing on fourth last season, Citizens had to play two games in the Champions league qualifications match.
in those two games against Steaua away Guardiola’s men have celebrated 5-0 while at home they’ve confirmed the passage with a minimum 1-0 win. At home in domestic championship, Man City celebrated against Sunderland with 2-1, against the Hammers 3-1, while against the Potters away 4-1.
For this derby, the biggest problem for Guardiola is Aguero, who’s serving a 3-match suspension. Aguero’s absence like means that Iheanacho will take his place while the rest of the first eleven will remain the same. Except Aguero, Guardiola can’t count on Sagna, Kompany and Gundogan while Sane and the gk Bravo are doubtful.
Probable lineup of Manchester City: Caballero – Zabaleta, Stones, Otamendi, Kolarov – Fernandinho – Sterling, de Bruyne, Silva, Nolito – Iheanacho