Three huge duels that will decide the weekend’s Manchester derby

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Matteo Darmian vs Raheem Sterling

With the Reds’ chosen right-back Antonio Valencia unlikely to feature due to his international duties with Ecuador, the young Italian Matteo Darmian – who has been distant since the beginning of Jose Mourinho’s campaign – will most probably face Raheem Sterling this weekend on the right flank.

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Sterling has impressed for both club and country so far in the 2016/17 season, with two goals and two assists in three competitive starts for the Blues.

His wing-play has involved cutting passing moves with full-back Bacary Sagna, producing outnumbering attacking situations that will please his new manager.

The 21-year-old will hope to utilise his lightning pace to overrun his defensive rival, allowing chances to be created for midfielders David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne in the absence of Sergio Aguero who’s three match violent conduct ban sees him miss the first Manchester derby of the season.