Stones ready to tame Zlatan

Manchester City defender John Stones insists he is looking forward to renewing hostilities with Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic rather than fear the challenge of taming the enigmatic front man.

The two went head-to-head in the relative tranquillity of Wayne Rooney’s testimonial ahead of the new Premier League season, with Stones lining up for Everton.

Both teams failed to find the net that day, but Ibrahimovic opened his United account with the winner against Leicester City in the Community Shield.

He has since gone on to hit three Premier League goals in as many games and looks to have instantly settled in the English game, outmuscling the likes of Wes Morgan and Jose Fonte to leave his mark.

(Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images)

Stones, a £50million summer acquisition for City, is the next man charged with trying to keep the 34-year-old Sweden international quiet in tomorrow’s Manchester derby.

And the England man is ready to go.

“I’ve had experience of playing against him before and hopefully I can figure out what he’s going to do if he plays,” said Stones.

“It will be an exciting game with a lot of big stars on the pitch, and I’m sure it’ll be a great watch for the fans who are going over to the game.”