Manchester derby the most expensive match ever

MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 16: Head coach Jose Mourinho (R) of Real Madrid looks on backdropped by head coach Josep Guardiola of Barcelona during the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 16, 2011 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Victor Carretero/Real Madrid via Getty Images)

Old Trafford is set to play host to the most anticipated game of the season when Manchester United clash with Manchester City on Saturday. The game is set to be the most expensive in the history of football, as the teams are set to field world-class players worth over £670m in transfer fees.

This weekend’s showdown pits Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola against each other. The two are the most decorated managers in Europe and have already clashed many times before in Spain, where they developed a fierce rivalry. And the duo have already established their influence over the clubs they joined this summer.

Now they go head-to-head in Manchester, with this weekend’s game set to reveal a great deal about their title hopes. Both teams have won all their games this season so far, and will be looking to continue their record on Saturday.

The teams are well matched in almost every department, and the game promises to be a cracking affair.

Both Mourinho and Guardiola have spent a great deal of money on new players. Mourinho broke the transfer record this summer by signing Paul Pogba, who returned to United for £89m. He also signed Eric Bailly (£30m), Henrikh Mkhitaryan (£26m) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. In addition, they also have Anthony Martial (£57m), Luke Shaw (£28m), Marouane Fellaini (£27.5m), Juan Mata (£37m) and Wayne Rooney (£27m), all of whom cost over £25m each.

While Pep Guardiola signed John Stones (£50m), who became the world’s most expensive defender at £50m, winger Nolito (£14m), Leroy Sane (£37m), Ilkay Gundogan and Claudio Bravo (£17m). City can also count on Raheem Sterling (£49m), Kevin de Bruyne (£54.5m), Nicolás Otamendi (£33m) and Fernandinho (£30m), who have been some of their expensive additions over the past few years.

With both teams featuring some well established players, and two world-class managers, this game is set to be watched by millions of people. And there will be more than just bragging rights at stake, come Saturday. It may be only September, but this derby could well turn out to be a title decider.

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