The game that divides a city

There will be $1 billion worth of talent on the field, soccer’s two most famous coaches renewing their rivalry, a bunch of records ready to be broken, and potentially the destiny of the English Premier League title – even in early December – on the line.

The Manchester derby can rarely have been grander and more globally appealing than when United and City meet at Old Trafford on Monday, NZT.

In the blue corner, there’s Pep Guardiola’s City, a devastating attacking unit that is looking to build an 11-point lead and win a

14th successive league match – an achievement that would be a record in a single Premier League.

In the red corner, there’s Jose Mourinho’s United, leading the chasing pack and on a club recordequaling run of 40 unbeaten home matches in all competitions – stretching back to September 2016 when it lost to its cross-town rival

2-1.

City are the league top scorer with 46.

United have the best defensive record with just nine goals conceded. City’s approach revolves around intricate passing and allout attack.

United’s is all about power and defensive solidity.

It’s a clash of styles that has been the hallmark of games between teams managed by Guardiola and Mourinho, initially when Barcelona and Real Madrid met in Spain and now in the same city in England.

Guardiola has had the edge since they arrived in the Premier League in the summer of 2016, earning a win and a draw in last season’s derbies. United beat City 1-0 in a League Cup fourth-round match, when Guardiola fielded a largely second-string lineup.

Given the eight-point gap between them, the onus is on United to win. That might be uncomfortable for Mourinho, whose default setting in big games is to set up not to lose.