United v City

All eyes are on Manchester this weekend for the top-of-the-table derby...
Form GuideUnited are unbeaten all season and have won every Barclays Premier League game at Old Trafford since being held by West Brom 12 months ago. Only Fulham have stopped City winning in the league this season and even the Londoners had to come back from 2-0 down to earn a point. Blackburn (4-0) and Aston Villa (4-1) were ruthlessly dismissed in the last two domestic outings while Sergio Aguero's late winner against Villarreal means confidence is sky-high for the Blues. City lead the table by two points after the Reds' hard-fought draw at Liverpool.
Ins and OutsSir Alex is set to be without Tom Cleverley, Darron Gibson and Rafael but Fabio is fit despite picking up another knock in Bucharest. David De Gea will return in goal in place of Anders Lindegaard with Rio Ferdinand available again to probably partner Nemanja Vidic after being rested for the Otelul Galati win. Nigel De Jong and Samir Nasri need to prove their fitness for City but Aguero looks primed to start after coming off the bench to good effect on Tuesday. Adam Johnson was withdrawn in the first half but the substitution was purely tactical.
Last MeetingCity wanted to send out a message at Wembley in the Community Shield and first-half goals by Joleon Lescott and Edin Dzeko did just that in the opening 45 minutes. Revved up for the second period, United hit back with Chris Smalling heading home and Nani finishing off a beautiful move to make it 2-2. In injury time, the champions broke and Nani kept his cool to beat Joe Hart for a thrilling winner.
Top ManThere are so many threats within the City squad but Aguero has quickly settled into life in England and has taken over the mantle of fellow Argentinian Carlos Tevez as the Blues' main man. The last-gasp winner in midweek proved he is fit again for Sunday and he's had little trouble translating his Atletico Madrid form to Manchester. Nasri and the classy David Silva must also be watched closely but Aguero is perhaps the star the defence must fear most.
Quote/unquote"We don't have any point to prove. We've shown our quality throughout the season. We don't need a game against United to show how good we are. But it's two of the best teams in England going up against each other and I expect it to be a great game" - Nigel De Jong.
Any sub-plots?Every Manchester derby seems to be billed as the 'biggest-ever' in the press and there's no doubt City are going to fight hard for the title. The FA Cup semi-final defeat last term was reckoned to be a watershed moment in a changing of the guard in the city by some but the Community Shield showed United will only relish the challenge. Late goals are the Reds' forte in these games and, if it's level going into stoppage time, expect some nervous faces in the away end.
Whistle BlowerMark Clattenburg has been assigned with refereeing duties - the Co Durham whistler took charge of the 4-0 Carling Cup defeat at West Ham 11 months ago but United's record was generally excellent with him officiating last term. The two clubs are riding high in the Fair Play table so Clattenburg will hopefully not be too busy with his cards and he already has experience of handling a Manchester derby back in 2007.
Rivals WatchChelsea make the short trip across the capital to QPR after the final whistle at Old Trafford. Fourth-placed Newcastle entertain Wigan on Saturday with Liverpool meeting Norwich.