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Manchester United Vs. Manchester City 2016 Derby: Preview, Predicted Line-Ups, Betting Tips, & Live Streaming

By Pradeep Nepal
Published on: 05:27 PST, Sep 7, 2016

Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United will take on Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the “clash of the titans” fixture this Saturday in Premier League 2016/17. Both teams have made an excellent start in the league and will go head-to-head to disrupt each other’s momentum in the Manchester Derby.

United and City are joint league leaders of the Premier League after three games, something that is likely to change after this game. Many have dubbed this match “game of the season” so far, and without a doubt, it is, given the quality of players and the managers who will go shoulder-to-shoulder this weekend.

Both Man United and Man City have a change of scenery this summer, sacking managers and appointing new managers, Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola, respectively. They are arguably the two best managers in football right now and have a little history between them.

It is hard to believe that Guardiola and Mourinho were once close but are now great rivals. The history between these top coaches, coupled with an already big rivalry of these giant clubs, makes this upcoming Manchester Derby one of the most anticipated derbies in history.

Date, Kick-Off Time, and Venue

The match takes place in Manchester United’s home ground, Old Trafford, on September 10, 2016, and the kick-off is at 12:30 p.m. UK, 4:30 a.m. Pacific Time, or 3:30 p.m. UAE Time.

TV Schedule

In the UK, the coverage starts at 11:30 a.m. on Sky Sports 1. In the U.S., NBC will broadcast the game at 4:15 p.m. You can also watch the game stream live online for free. Links are provided at the bottom of this article.

Manchester United: Team News

Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrating goal in a Man Utd game [Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images]

Man Utd head into this game in a confident mood, having won four out of four games this season. The Red Devils have claimed the first trophy of the season, the Community Shield, against defending Premier League champions Leicester City thanks to a late winner from the club marquee signing of the summer, Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The big Swede has adapted to the Premier League like a fish to water, scoring three goals so far, which makes him the joint top scorer in the league.

Skipper Wayne Rooney has been playing in top form since Jose Mourinho’s arrival at the club. The England international is playing just behind a striker in order to accommodate Ibrahimovic, and it seems Rooney is going to adjust to this new role in coming years under the Portuguese.

Meanwhile, the world’s most expensive player, Paul Pogba, has yet to hit top form for Manchester United. The former Juventus star likely hopes that the game against Man City will kick start his Man Utd career in full gear.

Midfielder Marouane Fellaini picked up an injury in the win against Southampton, but he is expected to be fit before the match.

On the other hand, young Englishman Luke Shaw was not fit to start in his international game for England, so he is unlikely to participate in this Manchester Derby. Similarly, new signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan picked up a knock in the international duty for Armenia. The midfielder took to Twitter to express that his participation in the game against Manchester City is pretty much doubtful.

Manchester United Starting Line-Up vs. Man City (4-2-3-1)

De Gea — Valencia, Bailly, Blind, Shaw — Fellaini, Pogba — Mkhitaryan, Rooney, Lingard — Ibrahimovic

Manchester City: Team News

The biggest concern for Man City is who will fill the big boots of Sergio Aguero, as the forward is suspended from the game. The Argentine was seen in TV replays elbowing West Ham’s Weinstein Reid, so he was punished with retrospective action and received a three game ban, as reported by BBC Sport. Referee Andre Marriner didn’t see the incident during the match, thus the penalty was given by the FA. Manchester City appealed on the case but were unsuccessful in their attempt.

Pep Guardiola’s revolution at Man City is just in its infancy, but the changes are emphatic with various big names have departed from the club, the most notable being captain Joe Hart. Other high-profile players like Samir Nasri and Wilfred Bony also have been deemed unnecessary by the Catalan manager. All of these players have left Manchester City on loan, although their long-term future seems away from the Blue Half of Manchester.

Fan favorite Yaya Toure has been relegated to the bench by the new manager. It will be a big surprise if the Ivorian gets any minutes in this upcoming derby.

Leroy Sane and Ilkay Gundogan are closing to full fitness, and the pair are likely to make substitute bench against United.

Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo has arrived from Barcelona with a fee around £16 million ($20 million). The two-time La Liga winner’s debut could be against Man United, although Pep Guardiola might think twice to start a player coming from a different league and culture in a game of this magnitude.

Manchester City Starting Line-Up vs Man United (4-2-3-1)

Bravo — Zabaleta, Otamendi, Stones, Kolarov — David Silva, Fernandinho — De Bruyne, Sterling, Nolito — Iheanacho

Manchester United vs. Manchester City: Head-To-Head

Total games (all time): 171
Man United win: 71
Man City win: 49

Jose Mourinho Vs Pep Guardiola: Head-To-Head

Jose Mourinho of Manchester United and Pep Guardiola of Manchester City [Photo by Chris Brunskill/Getty Images]

Mourinho and Guardiola have faced each other a total of 16 times. The Man City manager comes out on top, winning seven of those clashes, compared to Mourinho’s three.

Man Utd vs Man City: Betting Tips and Odds

Manchester United are favorites to win the game, according to bookies, with the Old Trafford outfit offered at healthy 5/4, while Man City are backed at a 23/10.

Both teams are expected to score against each other, so no clean sheets. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is in red-hot form in recent games and is expected to score. The forward is in a fresh physical state as he has no international duty to fulfill these days.

The odds are provided according to Paddypower.

Manchester United vs Manchester City: Match Prediction

The bookies have made their mind up by making Jose Mourinho’s men favorite to win the match. It is reasonable too, considering Man City will be without world-class striker Aguero and are playing away from home. But still, Pep Guardiola always seems to find a way to halt Mourinho. Also, City have many world class players who can change the game in an instant.

We go for a goal-scoring draw. Final predicted score: Man Utd 2-2 Man City.

Manchester United vs Manchester City: Live Stream Free

This Manchester Derby can be watched live stream online by clicking in the link provided here. The link will be updated just before kick off.

[Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images]

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