Mourinho has spent just over a year at Manchester United having been appointed as Louis Van Gaal’s successor last May.

Guardiola, meanwhile, is in charge of fierce rivals Manchester City, who he’s led joint-top of the table alongside the Red Devils.

Mourinho and Guardiola had their fair share of tasty face-offs when they were coaching La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively.

And Keown is hopeful there won’t be a repeat of those fracas when United and City go head-to-head at Old Trafford in a few months’ time.

Writing for the Daily Mail, Keown explained: "The Manchester clubs play each other on December 9.

"Remember the Real Madrid v Barcelona encounters? There was so much intensity and now it feels like it is burning in that way again. They could both remain unbeaten as well.

"You will not be able to miss that match. I just hope it will not implode like the Real Madrid and Barcelona games. I’m not sure Mourinho showered himself in glory.

"It is a way off, but we should be thinking of this as one of the biggest games of the season."

United resume their Premier League campaign when they visit Southampton this afternoon.

City are in action against struggling Crystal Palace, who are yet to pick up a point this term.