Match Preview: Man City v Man United

Date, time and coverage: Sunday 22 September (Kick off: 16:00 BST). The match is live in the UK on Sky Sports and you can follow it via ManUtd.com’s live blog and MUTV Online's radio commentary.

 

Form guide: United go to the Etihad Stadium on the back of two wins in a week, with a solid 2-0 triumph over Crystal Palace followed by Tuesday's 4-2 victory over Bayer Leverkusen. A much-altered Manchester City side failed to impress in a listless 0-0 draw with Stoke last Saturday, but they comfortably despatched Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League, 3-0, on Tuesday.

Ins and outs: David Moyes hinted at minimal changes in his press conference on Friday, when he said "the recovery time from Tuesday to Sunday isn't difficult." No update was provided on recent absentees Rafael, Phil Jones and Danny Welbeck. City looked shaky in defence without Vincent Kompany, but the Blues captain returned from a groin problem in midweek. Spanish trickster David Silva has been rated as a major doubt for the derby after picking up a thigh muscle injury on international duty.

Betting: United’s official partner bwin have priced United at 2.10 to win and City at 3.30 while the draw is 3.40. Marouane Fellaini as the game's first scorer is priced at 13.00, while a repeat of last year's 3-2 win for United is a tempting 31.00.

Last meeting: The Blues came from behind to win 2-1 at OT in April, but Reds fans will prefer to recall last December's trip to M11. Wayne Rooney put United 2-0 up at half-time, but after City drew level Robin Van Persie's stoppage-time free-kick sealed yet another dramatic last-gasp derby win.

The Manager: Known as 'The Engineer', Manuel Pellegrini joined City with a reputation as both a canny tactician and a good man-manager. He guided unheralded Villarreal and Malaga to the knock-out phase of the Champions League, but in between those two jobs the Chilean lasted just one season in charge of Real Madrid, despite having Cristiano Ronaldo in his ranks following the Portuguese's departure from Old Trafford.

Star man: Sergio Aguero looks to have assumed the mantle as City's main man up front now that fellow Argentina striker Carlos Tevez has left the club. Behind him, Yaya Toure is always a threat while on the flanks the pace of recent arrival Jesus Navas could test United's full backs. 

Sub-plot: David Moyes had a good record at the Etihad Stadium whilst in charge at Everton - he won five of his 10 games in charge of the Toffees there.

Did you know? Wayne Rooney has scored eight times at the Etihad Stadium - six for United, and two in England's 6-1 win over Iceland there in 2004.

Referee: South Yorkshire official Howard Webb has yet to show a red card this season, but he sent off Reds right-back Rafael when he last took charge of a United fixture - the 0-1 home defeat to Chelsea in May.

Quote/unquote: "I’ve experienced derby games in Glasgow and on Merseyside. But every derby in every big city is important to whichever team you support and I understand how important it is for the Manchester United fans." - David Moyes

Rivals watch: League leaders Liverpool host Southampton on Saturday at 15:00 BST, while Chelsea are at home to Fulham for a West London derby at 17:30. Arsenal will have just finished their match at home to Stoke when United face City on Sunday afternoon. Spurs also kick off at 16:00, away to Cardiff.