Premier League Notebook: Breaking down the Manchester Derby

While here in the United States the return to NFL Sundays is nearly upon us, a different kind of return to football takes place this weekend across Europe.

After a week break for international competition, clubs all across Europe resume their soccer campaigns, arguably the biggest being a return to action in the English Premier League.

While most of the EPL clubs will reconvene tomorrow and you can most likely tune in to all the action, this preview will focus on perhaps the biggest (and most certainly the earliest) match of the week, as cross-city rivals Manchester United and Manchester City clash at legendary Old Trafford (7:30 a.m. ET).

This is a clash of giants both on the field and off, and the storylines are aplenty. Let’s get into a few of the biggest ones that make this match a must-watch despite the commitment to shrug off a weekend sleep-in.

This is a coaching 'Goliath vs. Goliath'

There is very little United boss Jose Mourinho and City manager Pep Guardiola haven’t won in their lengthy careers as managers at some of the world’s greatest clubs. Before joining United this past season, Mourinho’s successes as the manager at Chelsea and Real Madrid cemented the “Special One” to a place of coaching deity. His persona has done much of the same too, as Mourinho is one to speak his mind whenever he gets the opportunity.

As for Guardiola, his success came at the helm of Barcelona, leading Messi and Co. to countless League, European and Super Cups. Both managers were even rivals when their spit-flying arguments highlighted the “SuperClasico” rivalry clashes between Barcelona and Real. The two know each other and know their personnel, so seeing if from a sheer coaching side one can outdo the other is worth the wait.

United: Healthy and hungry

According to the Premier League website, Mourinho has a full lineup at his disposal tomorrow as question marks Luke Shaw and newcomer Henrikh Mkhitaryan shook off injuries. United supporters can’t wait to see the continued love affair budding between French midfielder Paul Pogba and legendary forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

But all of this pales in comparison to the storyline that is Marcus Rashford right now. The midfielder has been on an absolute tear scoring goals, most recently after netting a hat trick in his international debut for the English U-21 team. This dude is just 18 years old and is terrorizing defenses, quickly becoming the story ahead of Saturday’s clash. However, there is a question of whether or not Mourinho will even start him.

In summation: This squad got skills, y’all.

City no slouch despite drama

Although there has been some drama within the club with goalkeepers past their prime, players getting suspended by the FA (ahem, Sergio Aguero, ahem) and the inclusion of an unknown in Claudio Bravo, Manchester City always brings it for this match, and Saturday shouldn’t be any different. However, the centerpiece and perennial spark plug for this match, defender and captain Vincent Kompany, won’t be featured. Kompany is still suffering from a debilitating calf injury that’s kept him out since late last season. Bravo, the impactful goalkeeper brought in to replace longtime goalkeeper Joe Hart, could start, but one thinks being the trepid mind Guardiola is, Bravo could watch this one from the sidelines as the current form has City at the top of the table.

Why mess with a good thing, right? 

If history has anything to do with it…

This series has gone City’s way over the past few years, but recently, United has been the victor receiving the spoils, going unbeaten in the last three against the cross-town rivals, winning two.

While this is truly a Bobby Fischer vs. the World meeting of the minds between the two managers, historically it’s been Guardiola who’s gotten the better of Mourinho. In 16 matchups, the Spaniard has lost just three in total (in all competitions), though one could argue that Pep had better teams than Jose — however, then this primarily becomes a Messi vs. Ronaldo conversation and… yeah, wrong league.

The last time both teams boasted winning their first three matches of the season leading into a Derby was the 2011-12 season. That season was the one in which City took the title, narrowly beating United for the crown… courtesy of goal differential. That's how close things are between these two, and expect the same Saturday.

I leave you with what is in this writer’s lifetime the single greatest thing to ever happen in a Manchester Derby: