Football: More than a derby

Manchester braced for renewed rivalry between City, United plus their managers Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola

By Yunus Kaymaz

LONDON (AA) – All eyes will be on the English Premier League this weekend as the fierce rivalry between Manchester United and Manchester City is renewed on Saturday.

United’s Jose Mourinho and City’s Josep "Pep" Guardiola are managing their sides in this season’s first Manchester derby.

The managers' personal rivalry started when they were both in Spain where Mourinho managed Real Madrid and Guardiola led Catalonia’s legendary Barcelona.

Guardiola and Mourinho met 16 times in total during their managerial careers. Guardiola won seven out of 16 games and Mourinho was victorious in three matches. The remaining six matches ended in draws.

The most remarkable match between them was a Spanish La Liga derby -- "El Clasico" -- played in Nov. 2010. Mourinho's Real Madrid was heavily beaten by Barcelona in an extravagant 5-0 score at the Camp Nou.

- City, United rivalry

The derby between City and United has been played out since 1881. United are in front with 71 wins to City’s 49. The teams notched up draws in 51 matches.

Manchester United's former Welsh veteran midfielder Ryan Giggs holds the record for the most appearances in the derbies, playing 36 times against City.

Meanwhile, Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney remains the top scorer in the derbies, bagging 11 goals.

A lot has changed since 1881; Manchester United's possible first 11 in Saturday’s derby is valued at more than 350 million pounds ($464.1 million). City's possible starting 11 are worth 321 million pounds ($425.5 million).

British media report the value of the combined teams’ starters to be 672 million pounds ($890.3 million).

French star Paul Pogba, towering Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and English forward Rooney will spearhead United’s attacking threat at Old Trafford.

City will lack their Argentine star forward Sergio Aguero, ruled out through suspension.

The 28-year-old has been on fire so far this season -- scoring six goals in four games -- contributing in league appearances as well as Champions League qualifiers.

- Possible starters and their values are as follows:

Manchester United	British pounds (million)	Manchester City	British pounds (million)
De Gea	18.3	Bravo	17.1
Valencia	18	Zabaleta	6.45
Bailly	30	Stones	50
Blind	13.8	Otamendi	33
Shaw	28	Clichy	7
Fellaini	27.5	De Bruyne	54.5
Pogba	93.25	Fernandinho	30
Mata	37.1	Silva	24
Martial	57.6	Sterling	49
Rooney	27	Sane	37
Ibrahimovic	-	Nolito	13.8

Total	350.55	Total	321.85

*Can Erozden contributed to this story from Ankara.

Kaynak:

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