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Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Gabriel Jesus hits, Paul Pogba still a miss, says Matt Le Tissier

during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on September 10, 2016 in Manchester, England.
Image: Have Man Utd playmaker Paul Pogba (centre) and Man City defender John Stones been hits or misses this season?

Ahead of Thursday's Manchester derby, live on Sky Sports 1 HD, we asked Matt Le Tissier to pass judgement on both club's signings this season.

The two sides were Europe's biggest spenders last summer, but have since found themselves well off the pace in the title race, with Champions League qualification now their sole focus for the run-in.

With much debate over which buys have been worth their fees, we asked the Soccer Saturday pundit to offer his verdict on who has been a hit and who has been a miss...

Manchester City

Ilkay Gundogan - Hit

Ilkay Gundogan receives treatmentbefore leaving the pitch
Image: Ilkay Gundogan has been sidelined since December

We obviously haven't seen that much of him due to the bad injury, but I thought he was just starting to get going when he was ruled out and he'll be like a new signing again next season.

Nolito - Miss

He's a miss for me just on the fact that he hasn't really started many games. He's done alright when he's had his chances, but only starting nine games isn't really what you expect for an experienced player.

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Leroy Sane - Hit

He's been a huge hit! I think he's been a revelation and, at 21, I think he'll just keep getting better. Definitely one of the most exciting young players around.

Gabriel Jesus - Hit

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 13:  Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City reacts after being pulled back attempting to break through the Bournemouth defence du
Image: Gabriel Jesus is reportedly in contention to return of Thursday

Another exciting player that we'll be expecting a lot from next season and, for the short period he was fit, he was certainly a hit.

John Stones - Miss

It's so tricky to judge this one. I would say this season probably a miss so far, but I'd say if he plays a whole season alongside Vincent Kompany, then I'm sure he'll be a massive hit.

Claudio Bravo - Miss

That will be a big fat miss for me. There have been too many times where he's looked nervy. He doesn't fill the back four with confidence and I was surprised to see him playing on Sunday, although Willy Caballero is hardly a world-class understudy.

Manchester City's Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo gestures to the Huddersfield fans after Manchester City's Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho scored his
Image: Manchester City's goalkeeper Claudio Bravo has been a miss this season, says Matt Le Tissier

Manchester United

Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Hit

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to miss the rest of the season for Manchester United
Image: Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to miss the rest of the season

Zlatan has been another huge hit! It's just a real shame about the injury and I'd love to see him stay in the Premier League. He's great value from a pundits' perspective and has been vital for United this season.

Eric Bailly - Hit

I think he's done pretty well and again he's still got plenty of improvement in him. He's obviously got a great organiser in Jose Mourinho as a manager, so he will benefit from that massively.

Paul Pogba - Miss

Paul Pogba will become a 'brilliant footballer', says Ryan Giggs
Image: Paul Pogba has struggled to live up to his £89m price tag

Even ignoring his price tag here and just judging him as a Manchester United player, he's still a miss for me. I still don't think he's taken enough games by the scruff of the neck, although I do think he'll be a hit next season.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan - Hit

Just! It's a tough one, but I think he's shown enough to demonstrate he will be a hit next season, certainly in the Europa league, having taken his time to get into the team.

Le Tiss predicts
Le Tiss predicts

Find out what Le Tiss is predicting for the Manchester derby at 22/1 here.

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