Manchester United players (from L to R) Wayne Rooney, Marcus Rashford, and Zlatan Ibrahimović celebrating their goal against Hull City. (Photo : Getty Images)
A high-profile 2016-2017 Premier League season match between undefeated powerhouse squads Manchester United (3-0-0, 9 points) and Manchester City (3-0-0, 9 points) is set at the Old Trafford this Saturday, Sep. 10 as the two clubs rekindle their rivalry.
Start Time and Streaming Info
The game starts at 7:30 a.m. ET. It can be viewed live online thru FuboTV.
The highly-anticipated first Manchester derby of the new season will not only highlight the old rivalry between the two clubs and its fans but will also draw attention to the animosity between both teams' new head coaches, Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola.
Mourinho and Guardiola has a colorful history in between them and so the anticipation is high that the game will be action-packed not only on the pitch but also from the sidelines as well.
Both managers have lived up to their billing so far, keeping their teams unbeaten and still clinging to a perfect record after three rounds in the term. However, one or both of them will surely snap each one's winning streak on Saturday.
Manchester United is coming off a close 1-0 win over surprise team Hull City at the KC Stadium on Aug. 27 before the international break, BBC Sport reported.
Young striker Marcus Rashford saved the Red Devils from an embarrassing draw with the newly-promoted side by scoring one right in stoppage time off another excellent assist from team captain Wayne Rooney.
Meanwhile, Manchester City routed West Ham United, 3-1, in their own round 3 affair at the Etihad Stadium on Aug. 28, as per The Guardian.
English winger Raheem Sterling led the Citizens with a brace while Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho added one goal to complete the team's three-goal production.
Newly-acquired midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan will not be available for the Red Devils due to a thigh injury while Argentine striker Sergio Agüero will also miss the game after being suspended for three games for violent conduct.
While Rooney is evidently on the decline especially when it comes to his aggressiveness and control of the ball on the field, he still makes up for it with his high football IQ and Mourinho does not lose faith in him. However, United will rely more on the indefatigable Zlatan Ibrahimović and midfield sensation Paul Pogba to tide them through their first real test this season.
Meanwhile, City has effectively adjusted to master tactician Guardiola with the free-flowing midfield of Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva now implemented in a 4-3-3 formation. Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho is expected to fill-in for Agüero, but nobody knows exactly what is in the mind of the Spanish boss.
Prediction and Predicted Lineup
The predicted result is a tough 2-1 decision for Manchester United
Manchester United starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): De Gea; Valencia, Bailly, Blind, Shaw; Fellaini, Pogba; Mata, Rooney, Martial; Ibrahimović
Manchester City starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Bravo; Zabaleta, Stones, Otamendi, Clichy; De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Silva; Sterling, Iheanacho, Nolito
