ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC STOKES DERBY FEVER WITH CRYPTIC MESSAGE TO CITY KEEPER, CLAUDIO BRAVO

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has laid down a derby day gauntlet to Manchester City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo ahead of Saturday's Old Trafford showdown. 

Veteran Manchester United striker Ibrahimovic, never one to shun the limelight, posted a video to Instagram of him sending a package containing his own branded clothing range to Bravo with the caption: 'Welcome to Manchester! Here’s some training gear, you’re gonna need it. See you Saturday.' 

United's battle with near rivals City is the most eagerly anticipated game of the season so far and while the managerial showdown between Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola has dominated the build-up, Ibrahimovic's feisty social media antics are sure to add another layer of spice to a game that needs no introduction. 

Mourinho's United host City on Saturday lunchtime with both teams boasting a 100 per cent record from their three games so far. 

Something will have to give and with Ibrahimovic in confident mood following three league goals for United already, the 34-year-old has moved to fan the flames with his tongue-in-cheek social media post. 

Ibrahimovic's warning to Bravo might be something of a joke, there's no proof he actually posted the training gear, but the Swede will certainly present Bravo and the rest of the City defence with a tough test when the action gets underway in the red half of Manchester. 

Bravo is set to make his City debut against rivals United after joining from Barcelona

Bravo, who arrived at City this summer as a replacement for Joe Hart, is set for a baptism of fire on what is expected to be the Chilean's Premier League bow. 

Guardiola, who sees Bravo as the sort of ball-playing stopper he likes, is expected to pick the 33-year-old for the first time at Old Trafford in one of a couple of changes expected from the former Barcelona and Bayern boss. 

With key striker Sergio Aguero suspended youngster Kelechi Iheanacho has insisted he's ready to step in following Wilfried Bony's loan move to Stoke, while Ilkay Gundogan is a surprise name in contention for selection following a knee injury. 

For United, the usually confident Ibrahimovic is a certain starter with Mourinho likely to name much of the same side who beat Hull 1-0 last time out.

That means Marcus Rashford, who scored the injury-time winner at Hull and netted a hat-trick for England Under 21's this week, might be forced to settle for a place on the bench once again.  

Credit- Daily Mail