First blood to Guardiola as De Bruyne inspires City

The eyes of the sporting world were focused on Old Trafford as two of the world's most high-profile managers renewed hostilities on Saturday lunchtime, having endured a frosty, tempestuous battle for La Liga glory for several years.

Now they share a city and the desire for Premier League glory, with Guardiola striking the first blow as a fine first-half display saw City run out 2-1 victors as United's 100 per cent start to life under Mourinho came to a halt.

Kevin De Bruyne was the catalyst for the visitors, coolly opening the scoring after nipping past Daley Blind before firing a shot that hit the post and rebounded kindly for Kelechi Iheanacho to deservedly extend City's lead.

Mourinho's side, by contrast, were struggling until debutant goalkeeper Claudio Bravo's composure disappeared with his clean sheet, flapping at a Wayne Rooney free-kick as Zlatan Ibrahimovic fired home with aplomb before the break.

Joe Hart's replacement looked flustered and was fortunate not to give away a penalty or collect a card soon after the restart, turning into danger and lunging at Rooney in the box.

A United equaliser was ruled out as exciting substitute Marcus Rashford's strike deflected home off the offside Ibrahimovic, with De Bruyne hitting the post at the other end as City held on for an important victory on enemy turf.