[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he squad strengths are similar. The fame and reputations of the two managers are similar. In fact, there are so many similarities between the two teams this season that it is very difficult to say that one is better than the other and even more difficult to say which one that is.
Manchester City have a world class goalkeeper prone to the occasional mistake. United also have a world class goalkeeper who makes less mistakes so United have the edge here.
The back four of the two is difficult to predict at present but let’s assume a fully fit squad so that City would probably pick Sagna, Kompany, Stones and Clichy. Three of the four are into their thirties and their experience is invaluable to the cause. However the two full backs are far better at going forward than at defending and Kompany is injury prone. Fortunately for City, Nicolas Otamendi is starting to produce his best form and would be an able replacement if he doesn’t start instead of Stones. John Stones may well be a future England captain but, similar to Joe Hart, there is a mistake in him at some stage in most games.
United, if they don’t make another signing, will probably start with Valencia, Blind, Bailly and Shaw. The two full backs, in the same way as their blue counterparts, are far better at going forward than defending. In fact, Valencia is a liability when defending. Daley Blind will play in place of Smalling who is suspended for this game and hopefully, from my point of view, he will find it difficult to get back into the team. Although Smalling has improved immensely in the last few years he is still likely to concede a penalty and is still tactically very naive. Bailly really looks the part and he is the rock around which the defence can be built for the future.
Now it starts to get difficult so I will pick the players I would select for the teams. City may start the season with De Bruyne, Silva, Toure and Sterling but this will certainly change when Gundogan is fit and he will probably replace Toure.
Up front I expect Nolito to start just behind Aguero and there should be a few goals from these two.
This would be a formidable team and they should have enough to see off Sunderland at the weekend.
United will probably start with Mkhitaryan, Carrick, Herrera and Lingard with Rooney playing in behind Ibrahimovic. This would not be my midfield selection as I would choose Mata over Rooney every time, but Rooney seems to have some kind of hold over managers of Manchester United and they seem unable to leave him out.
As soon as Pogba has served his suspension he will be in the team, hopefully in place of either Rooney or Lingard but more likely Herrera.
This team should also have enough to start the season with a win away at Bournemouth and these games are the the kind of games that the two clubs need to be winning to have a chance of lifting the trophy next year.
Much tougher games than these lie ahead and, despite trying to analyse who will play and which team has the better players, I still can’t separate them.
My heart will always go with United so, to give it a little encouragement from my head, I will say that the extra Premier League experience of Jose Mourinho will be vital as the season unfolds and this will give him the edge over Pep Guardiola.