Match preview of United v City
Scene-setter: It's the big one. Few games produce as much hype as the Manchester derby, and the stakes couldn't be much higher when City make the short trip across town to Old Trafford for the 169th meeting between the sides. Just one point separates the fierce rivals ahead of this blockbuster clash, which could go a long way to deciding where the teams stand at the end of the season.
Form guide: The Reds are flying at the moment, having won five successive Barclays Premier League games, including impressive victories over top-four contenders Tottenham and Liverpool. Our noisy neighbours meanwhile have been somewhat quieter in recent weeks, and fell to a fourth consecutive away defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace on Monday. The Blues will be encouraged by November's 1-0 win over Louis van Gaal's men though.
Team news: Defensive duo Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw could return to action after missing last weekend's win over Aston Villa through illness and injury respectively, while Jonny Evans (suspension) remains United's only confirmed absentee. Van Gaal may give an update on Robin van Persie's fitness in his pre-match press conference. Manuel Pellegrini could have a fully-fit squad at his disposal, if striker Wilfried Bony recovers from the ankle knock he picked up in training on Sunday.
Danger man: Sergio Aguero's 63rd-minute strike proved to be the difference in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, and the diminutive Argentinian will certainly be one to watch again this time around. The forward has registered 17 league goals this campaign; only Harry Kane and Diego Costa have managed more.
Opposition boss: Pellegrini has been forced to rebuff speculation surrounding his position at City this week, having picked up just 19 points from 13 games since the end of December. The decorated Chilean coach became the first non-European manager to win the Premier League when he guided the Blues to domestic glory last season, and will undoubtedly be setting his sights on derby-day victory if his side are to somehow repeat that feat this season.
Rivals watch: Second-placed Arsenal face a trip to Burnley at 17:30 BST on Saturday, while league leaders Chelsea visit London rivals Queens Park Rangers in Sunday's early kick-off, before attention turns to another derby.
Referee: Mark Clattenburg will be the man in the middle, with Simon Beck and Jake Collin his assistants, and Jonathan Moss the fourth official. Clattenburg officiated the Reds' 3-0 win over Spurs last month.
(Via
manutd.com)
