Both clubs are reflecting the virtues of their high-profile managers just three matches into the Premier League season and everything is set up for an Old Trafford classic

Full steam ahead the Manchester derby! Well, not quite, as there’s the small matter of a round of international fixtures to get out of the way first. But next month’s clash at Old Trafford is sure to be a cracker.

United looked like they have got back into the winning habit under Jose Mourinho with that last-gasp victory at Hull City on Saturday and City, despite a wobble after Michail Antonio’s goal, look like they are firmly getting to grips with Pep Guardiola’s footballing philosophy.

At times during the first half at the Etihad Stadium the Blues were playing some sublime stuff. Raheem Sterling’s opening goal came following a great move down the left, and on a couple of occasions they could have added to Fernandinho’s header with some goal-of-the-season contenders, only to fall at the final hurdle.

Guardiola says he needs time to get his players playing at the kind of level he expects but there are clear signs of progress already. It is true that the Hammers offered paltry opposition for the first 45 minutes but it was City’s slick passing and movement that exploited the spaces offered to them, much in the same way they dismantled Steaua Bucharest in Romania.

A number of City players got an earful from their manager even when things were going especially well; Pablo Zabaleta the most common recipient, although the sound of Guardiola slapping his thighs in frustration at one Sterling error was audible 20 rows back in the press box.


The Catalan, then, will have been concerned that his men lost their slick edge as soon as Antonio out-jumped Gael Clichy to head home a cross that Willy Caballero failed to deal with.

Guardiola said his side would immediately play with “soul” even if the finer points of his ideology would come later. In that respect, their fans can be happy they did not cave in, and although they were not playing the kind of football their manager aspires to for much of the second period, they were at least good enough by regular old Premier League standards.

They may have missed a couple of chances - Sergio Aguero and Sterling hitting the side netting, Samir Nasri missing a couple of one-on-ones and David Silva hitting the post - but Sterling was on hand in stoppage time to produce an impudent finish to put the game beyond any lingering doubt.

After the win at Stoke City last weekend Guardiola said he did not mind that his men could not control the full 90 minutes at the Potteries and he will say likewise here.


That, though, may not be enough in two weeks’ time. Mourinho and Guardiola have tried their best to stay out of each other's way since they arrived in Manchester earlier this summer but they will be thrown under the same spotlight at Old Trafford.

Both sides, in their own way, have looked impressive so far this season. United seem to have recovered their swagger and will to win, while City are playing with the type of hunger that is synonymous with Guardiola teams and that was so often missing last season.

City hope that by the time Guardiola’s third season rolls around they will be far and away the best team in England, and if they keep progressing at this pace it is easy to imagine.

But while they work towards that promised land there are bound to be hiccups and how Mourinho - and Zlatan Ibrahimovic - would love to inflict their first defeat, and one that would be City’s 250th of the Premier League era.

These two sides have been widely tipped to finish first and second in the league this season and, although Chelsea have also won their three matches so far, few would bet against the title ending up in Manchester come May.

It may be too early for any kind of serious predictions - City’s form this time last year is proof of that - and while the derby may not mean too much come the final reckoning, it will certainly shape the fledgling stages of the Mourinho and Guardiola eras.

It is early days but both clubs are already reflecting their managers best attributes. United are muscular and built to win at all costs, City are slick and designed to dominate.

Whether the first Jose-Pep meeting in nearly three years is enough to bring out their worst attributes, it will also provide one of the many sub-plots of the first derby of the season.

There is plenty to talk about and, with almost two long weeks to wait, plenty will be talked about.

What we know for now is that both City and United are looking good and there is an awful lot to look forward to.