It’s the first Manchester derby of the season and probably has an added extra of one of the most significant managerial clashes in the derbies history with former La Liga sparring partners squaring up.
Mourinho and Guardiola have met 16 times in the past in 5 different competitions. The history between Europe's two top coaches stretches back seven years and five clubs.
The first meeting was Guardiola's Barcelona vs Mourinho's Inter Milan back in 2009-10 Champions League group stages. Inter 0 Barcelona 0, Guardiola and Mourinho’s first managerial encounter came in cagey 0-0 Champions League group stage match at the San Siro.
The return game was Barcelona 2 Inter 0, Barca produced a master class of possession and passing football. It also gave Mourinho something to think about and ideas and plans to conjure up. The same year the clubs met in the Champions League semi-finals and this time it was a Inter 3 Barcelona 1, Mourinho masterclass that downed the European champions for his first win over Guardiola.
The return leg, Barcelona 1 Inter 0, saw ten man Inter hold out in a dogged display to reach the final where they beat German Champions Bayern Munich to win a famous treble.
Mourinho moved to Real Madrid and the rivalry continued in La Liga. His first Clasico came as a bit of a shock. His team selection smelt of fear, and that anxiety was justified as he came up against a slicker, more cohesive Barca team, Barcelona 5 Real Madrid 0.
The return league fixture saw a draw at the Bernabeu, but Guardiola's side maintained an eight- point lead at the top of La Liga. Real Madrid 1 Barcelona 1 April 2011.
The next meeting was the Copa del Rey Final a few days later, gamesmanship was deteriorating and the rivalry was growing more intense. Guardiola snapped in the press room "In the press room he is 'el p*** jefe' (the f***ing boss) and the one who knows more than everyone else." Real Madrid 1 Barcelona 0 aet. Mourinho's first silverware in Spain.
A week later they met in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final, at the Bernabeu an ill- tempered game saw both Pepe and Mourinho sent off, with Messi grabbing two late goals to put the Blaugrana in pole position. Real Madrid 0 Barcelona 2.
The return leg saw Mourinho served a touchline ban as the two sides played out a stalemate in the Nou Camp. Barcelona 1 Real Madrid 1. Mourinho had made a comment after the first leg regarding the sendings off, his fifth in a row against Pep, "One day, I would like Josep Guardiola to win this competition properly."
The Spanish Super Cup first leg provided a thriller and surprisingly was without the usual bad- tempered antics. Real Madrid 2 Barcelona 2. However, the second leg of this supposedly friendly season opener was marred by one of the ugliest touchline fracas in recent years. Mourinho poked Tito Vilanova, then Guardiola's assistant, in the eye during the brawling. Barcelona 3 Real Madrid 2.
The next La Liga showdown saw Karim Benzema scored the fastest goal in Clasico history, only for Real to ultimately lose due to masterly tactical shuffling by Guardiola. Real Madrid 1 Barcelona 3. January 2012 saw Copa del Rey semi-finals, the first leg saw Barcelona claimed their second Bernabeu win of the season, Real Madrid 1 Barcelona 2. In the return in the Nou camp barca fans sang mockingly for "Mourinho, stay," as his team again fell at the hands of Guardiola's Barca. Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 2.
The next La Liga meeting witnessed Barcelona's first home defeat in 55 games and a first Clasico league win for Real in five years to put them right on track for the title where they remained. Barcelona 1 Real Madrid 2. Guardiola moved to Bayern.
The last time the managers met was UEFA Super Cup, August 30, 2013, both men were new in their roles as Mourinho's Chelsea took on Bayern Munich, Mourinho yet again suffered a sending off after Ramires took out Ribery. Bayern Munich 2(5) Chelsea 2(4) won on penalties.
Whatever happens at Old Trafford on Saturday it will rekindle the rivalry between two of the world's best coaches with two massive clubs and surely that means one winner, the Premier league.
Overall record
Meetings: 16; Guardiola wins: 7; Draws: 6; Mourinho wins: 3
Source: DSG
