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RASH DECISION

Manchester derby team news: Henrikh Mkhitaryan makes first United start with Marcus Rashford left out as starlet striker Kelechi Iheanacho gets nod for City

HENRIKH MKHITARYAN starts at the expense of Marcus Rashford in the Manchester derby.

And Jesse Lingard will start down the flanks instead of Juan Mata - as City boss Pep Guardiola decides goes with Kelechi Iheanacho up front and hand a debut to keeper Claudio Bravo.

 Henrikh Mkhitaryan will make his first start for Manchester United in the derby
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Henrikh Mkhitaryan will make his first start for Manchester United in the derbyCredit: Getty Images
 Kelechi Iheanacho starts in attack for Manchester City
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Kelechi Iheanacho starts in attack for Manchester CityCredit: Getty Images
 England striker was on target three times against Norway
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England striker was on target three times against NorwayCredit: Getty Images
 Jose Mourinho will clash with old foe Pep Guardiola
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Jose Mourinho will clash with old foe Pep GuardiolaCredit: Getty Images

City boss Guardiola has given Iheanacho a first Premier League start of the season, with star man Sergio Aguero out through suspension.

Ahead of the clash, Iheanacho told Sky Sports News: "I feel great it means a lot to me because United are a big club.

"Pep Guardiola is a good manager and he gives me a lot of confidence. Hopefully I can get a goal, we’ll have to wait and see."

United skipper Wayne Rooney also told Sky: "Yeah of course [the derby still means a lot to me].

"Over the last few years they’ve been more competitive with city being our rivals for the title. It means a lot to City and we have to try and get the win."
"We have to play our game, they will have a game plan but we have to stick to ours and hopefully it will come off."

Rashford - who bagged three for the England Under-21s - came off the bench to score the winner in United's last league win over Hull.

The prodigy burst onto the scene last season and became the youngest ever goalscorer in a Manchester derby when he netted a brilliant winner at the Etihad.

Today's game is set to be the most expensive football match ever after both teams splurged this summer.

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