The long awaited first meeting of managerial titans Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola in the Premier League is almost upon us as Man United play hosts to fierce rivals, Man City on Saturday.
The latest edition of the Manchester derby is the most eagerly anticipated for years with the two new boy’s going head-to-head on English soil for the first time, with their newly re-vamped squads.
The two Manchester clubs are going toe-to-toe in the minds of the bookies for the title, and both have started their campaigns with impeccable records, three wins from three, leaving just goal difference to give the Sky Blues the upper-hand.
The form going into such a match up will go out of the window come kick-off, with coverage both at home and abroad seemingly elevating the clash to levels never seen before.
It is clear that it will take something special to come out of the game with three points, therefore, both Pep and Jose will be pondering changes.
Here at Shoot! we’ve already told you who the Red Devils boss should drop, but that means there are places up for grabs, here are THREE players that Mourinho needs to give a chance to on Saturday…
Marcus Rashford
Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.
The striker, who scored the winner against Hull, was the story of last season at Old Trafford, coming from nowhere due to injuries to take the Premier League by storm, and deserves a chance from kick-off this weekend.
He added to his rapidly growing reputation on Tuesday by banging in a hat-trick for the England U21s after having been left out of the senior squad, which really could have done with him, by Big Sam for the qualifier with Slovakia.
The 18-year-old, although still inexperienced in the biggest of games, as Saturday’s clash is, still has an air of fearlessness and unpredictability which is something that desperately needs to be harnessed and utilised by Mourinho, in order to make a difference against Man City.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.
The Armenian international would, in any normal transfer window, be a marquee signing for any club in Europe, however, with the arrivals of both Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba somewhat taking his limelight, the former Boriussia Dortmund man has been sidelined for the early stages of the season.
Having only featured from the bench in the Premier League so far this campaign, the attacking midfielder needs to be given the chance to get going at City from the off on Saturday, and has the ability to cause Guardiola’s back line some real problems.
Morgan Schneiderlin
Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.
The former Southampton man has not enjoyed the best of times at Man United since his move from the South Coast, but still has plenty to offer Mourinho in what will be a crucial season.
The surprise inclusion of Marouane Fellaini in most of the early season action has meant more time on the bench for the France international. However, someone with the ability on the ball, added to his defensive capabilities, possessed by the 26-year-old can be a great asset to the Red Devils as they face a side that will need something special to break down.