Patrick Rees
So the stage is set! Soon after the players return to their club after serving their motherland, the Premier League showdown will be knocking their doors. The first fixture of the week number four will be the grand Manchester Derby. The game will be contested at the Theatre of Dreams and this time around, this won’t be an on-field battle anymore.
The old colleagues; Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho will be shaking hands yet again and it will be a fierce mind drama for sure. Both the clubs have started their campaign really and have won all three out of three games. The reds started their season with a victory over Bournemouth, followed by an impressive display against Southampton and the newly promoted side, Hull City. Citizens, on the other hand, kicked their campaign with a narrow victory over Sunderland and went on to humiliate Stoke City and West Ham United.
No doubt, this will be an entertaining encounter, so here are the three key battles that will decide the course of this Manchester Derby:
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Sterling vs Shaw-
The 21-year-old Englishman had a tough start to his City career as he failed to justify the hefty price City paid Liverpool for him. He was heavily criticized for his poor form and he eventually lost his place last season to Jesus Navas, but this time around, the 21-year-old has really turned the strides. Sterling has featured in all the games for the Blues and has scored 2 goals and also has one assist to his credit as well.
On the other hand, Sterling’s countryman, Luke Shaw, too has started this new season in style. Considered as one of the brightest young prospects, Luke has been a pure wall for United’s defence, which has only conceded 1 goal till now. Both Shaw and Sterling are known for their pace, but Shaw does have an upper hand regarding his physical build. With Sterling looking to outnumber him with pace, Shaw can outwit the 21-year-old with his quick tackles.
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Silva vs Pogba-
Unarguably, David Silva has been Manchester City’s stellar name in recent years. Players like Aguero and Sterling have been stealing the praise by their goal scoring prowess, but this man has been doing the back work for the team the entire time. Just like Sterling, he too has featured in all the games for the Blues and has been really effective. Being a Spanish blood, the 30-year-old will be an “Iniesta” for Pep Guardiola this season and he could really change the course of the game.
Furthermore, to counter his moves, United have their new asset Paul Pogba. The Frenchman has marked his presence really well in the Premier League and is hungry for more. The 23-year-old recently laid an impressive assist to Anthony Martial in the game against Italy and will be hoping to continue his form in the next fixture as well. He had an average game against Hull, but that doesn’t really concern anyone anymore.
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Stones vs Zlatan-
We certainly believe that not just Stones, but also Otamendi will be having his eyes on the Big Swede. The Englishman, John Stones, had a perfect game against West Ham United last weekend but was unfortunately taken off. The 22-year-old is surely a great prospect for the Citizens and till date, he has completed more than 150 passes in the Premier League, but this time around, the task will surely not be an easy one as the new king of Manchester will be standing on the turf of the Old Trafford.
Furthermore, Zlatan has started his Manchester United career really well as he scored on his debut, against Leicester City, and also against Bournemouth. His willingness at this age is extraordinary and his ball skills need no explanations.
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