This weekend, English Premier League (EPL) is about to get even harder as Manchester United faces Manchester City at Old Trafford Stadium. This will be the mother of derby matches in England; two teams with the two best managers in the world, fighting for pride and the EPL title. With history between these two teams, meeting 171 times; Manchester United have won 71, they’ve drawn 51, Manchester City have won 49 times. Saturday being the first meeting between the two managers on England shores. So much is at stake when these two teams face each other:
On Both Teams This Season:
This season, Jose Mourinho has wasted no time in spending 145 million pounds at Manchester United, bringing in; Eric Baily, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Harikh Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba. Interestingly, Man-UTD didn’t sell any player. The Portuguese boss, Mourinho is trying to build a squad capable of winning the Premier League. After playing three matches Man UTD are third on table, winning three matches to get 9 points, scored 6goals and have a +5 goals difference.
On the other hand, Manchester City has spent the total of 136.4 million pounds this season, bringing in; Bravo, Gundogan, Nolito, Sane, and Stones. For Man-City, Joe Hart, Nasri and Bony have been loaned out. Man-City tops the table with 9points, 9goals advantage and +6 goals difference. As expected from Guardiola’s team, they have played fascinating football and have been in control of all their games scoring goals.
On Both Managers:
On touchlines and in press conferences both managers have become best of enemies. This weekend is the opening of new rivalry between Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola. The pair have met 16 times: Mourinho have won 3, drawn 6 and Guardiola have won 7.
On their performance this season, Mourinho and Guardiola were both nominated for the EPL manager of the month, August 2016. Mourinho edged Guardiola to win the manager of the month award.
MOURINHO’S PRESS CONFERENCES:
“I prefer to be more aggressive and say we want to win…”
Mourinho on his model of football: “What is playing well? It is scoring more goals than the opponent, conceding less, making your fans proud because you give everything and win.”
GUARDIOLA ON MOURINHO: We’re both here, Jose and I. He wants to win, I want to win. We know each other pretty well.
Guardiola on his model of football: “I need to adapt my ideas to the quality of the players. We are going to train to win. It’s better to be with that pressure.
KEYS PLAYERS:
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has well proven himself to us that truly: “age is a number.” The 34 year old striker has scored 3 goals in 3 EPL games for Manchester United.
Antonio Valencia, the right back seems to be enjoying a good spell under his new manager. His performance has gained him recognition this season as he was nominated for the player of the month award.
Sergio Aguero has also scored 3 goals for his team, Manchester City but won’t feature in the match on Saturday due to suspension. How do Man-City cope without their star man, Aguero?
It’s a complete turnaround for in form man, Raheem Sterling, who struggled in the second half of last season. The 22-year old is brimming with confidence since the arrival of his boss Pep Guardiola. He also scored twice in their last EPL game against West Ham. Raheem Sterling has been credited for his transformation as he was deservedly nominated for the EPL player of the month, August 2016.
With either teams having 100 percent record so far, continuing with this record is filled with uncertainty; it’s either one loss or the other wins or they draw. Two big teams with everything to fight for; what colour will Manchester be tomorrow? Red or Sky blue?
yemi Onayemi is a biochemistry graduate who has found his path into film writing, article writing and make up artistry.follow him @yemhigh
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