This weekend sees one of the biggest fixtures across the globe as both Manchester sides lock horns at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. They are currently occupying first and second place in the Premier League with Manchester United eight points behind their rivals, Manchester City in the title race. The next chapter of the Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola rivalry begins on Sunday.

STATS

• Man United started the new campaign in a rich vein of form but they have started to tail off and have lost a lot of ground in the last couple of months. They’re back in top form as they have won each of their last four league matches and they showed their ruthless nature against Arsenal in their last match as they won 3-1 despite having just eight shots. David de Gea was to thank for their victory as he made 14 saves, the most in a Premier League match.
• Man City have been sublime this term and are massive favourites to go all the way and pick up the Premier League trophy in May. They are the only unbeaten side in the top flight and have dropped points in just one match, a 1-1 draw with Everton on the opening day. Since then, they have won 14 matches in a row in the league. They had to rely on a late Raheem Sterling winner against West Ham in their last league game.
• Romelu Lukaku has been in good form since his summer move and he is Man United’s leading goal scorer with eight goals.
• Three of the leading goal scorers in the Premier League play for Man City as Sergio Aguero (9), Raheem Sterling (9) and Gabriel Jesus (8) have been quality in front of goal.

HEAD TO HEAD

The two Manchester sides have created some brilliant matches over the last few years and it’s Man United who have the edge. They have lost just one of the last five league games against Man City and have won two. The most recent league meeting was back in April as Marouane Fellaini stole the headlines with a reckless sending off in a goalless draw. The only time both teams have scored in the last five matches was last season in Man City’s 2-1 win.

MANCHESTER UNITED NEWS

A win for the Red Devils would see them close the gap at the top to just five points and they welcome the returns of Nemanja Matic, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marouane Fellaini and Phil Jones. Michael Carrick and Eric Bailly are the only two injured players while Paul Pogba is suspended after his red card last weekend and will be massively missed.

Latest matches: Manchester United

05.12.2017	UEFA	Manchester United	CSKA Moscow	2:1	W
02.12.2017	Prem	Arsenal FC	Manchester United	1:3	W
28.11.2017	Prem	Watford FC	Manchester United	2:4	W
25.11.2017	Prem	Manchester United	Brighton & Hove Albion FC	1:0	W
22.11.2017	UEFA	FC Basel	Manchester United	1:0	L

MANCHESTER CITY NEWS

Three points for Guardiola’s side would put them 11 points ahead, making it extremely hard for them to be caught. They have been handed boosts as Vincent Kompany, Fabian Delph and David Silva should return to the squad, leaving John Stones and Benjamin Mendy on the injury table.

Latest matches: Manchester City

06.12.2017	UEFA	FC Shakhtar Donetsk	Manchester City	2:1	L
03.12.2017	Prem	Manchester City	West Ham United	2:1	W
29.11.2017	Prem	Manchester City	Southampton FC	2:1	W
26.11.2017	Prem	Huddersfield Town	Manchester City	1:2	W
21.11.2017	UEFA	Manchester City	Feyenoord Rotterdam	1:0	W

SUMMARY

There are always fireworks when the Manchester derby comes to town and with the two sides being the Premier League’s current best, this one won’t be any different. Man City are favourites going to Old Trafford, which is unusual and it will be their game to lose, especially with Pogba unavailable for the hosts. However, United showed their power on the break against Arsenal and might rely on this at the Theatre of Dreams, it should be a great game.