Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
Jose Mourinho vs Pep Guardiola makes it way to English shores as Old Trafford hosts the first Manchester Derby of the season on Saturday Lunchtime. The build up of the game has undoubtedly been focusing on the fact that Sergio Aguero will miss the game as he undertakes the first of a three match ban.
That decision came with somewhat of a level of controversy as the incident which led to the ban, that of Aguero’s elbow being firmly planted in the face of Winston Reid was initially missed but thanks to retrospective action the diminutive Argentine has to sit out what is easily the biggest game of the season so far.
The absence of Aguero will very much play into the hands of United and Jose Mourinho as they will look to make it four wins from four and continue their perfect start to the campaign. That is still the case for City but without Aguero the task has become much harder but certainly not impossible.
United will look to their big summer signings Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba to deliver the goods when it really matters while City will look to a rejuvenated Raheem Sterling and Spanish star Nolito to snatch a win against their most hated rivals.
Before the break United left it late to snatch all three points in the driving rain away at Hull. Man of the moment Marcus Rashford scored the winner that evening and also scored the solitary goal the last time these two sides met, what price on him repeating that feat once again
After his sensational hat-trick for England Under 21’s in midweek not only is he pushing for inclusion for the senior side next month he must also be edging closer to a starting role in United attack. You get the feeling that though that Jose Mourinho will look to use him as an impact sub if and when he is needed.
City were dominant in their win over West Ham before the break with Raheem Sterling bagging a brace as the blue half of Manchester cruised to a 3-1 win over Slaven Bilic’s side. The only blot on the copybook would have been the disciplinary controversy which came afterwards and the subsequent suspension of Aguero.
How much will he be missed, well you can only say a lot but City have looked imperious under Pep Guardiola and they will have plenty of talent ready to plug the large gap that Aguero’s absence will leave. Not forgetting that City have their own wonderkid forward in Kelechi Iheanacho. Could he be given a a chance to shine this lunchtime
At least one of these teams will have dropped points by Saturday Afternoon, the question is who? With home advantage for United and no Aguero for City then it’s points to a win for the Red Devils but there is no doubting that Pep Guardiola would love to get one over his old foe and lay down a huge marker in the race for the title.
I’ll go for a home win and plenty of fireworks at Old Trafford.
