Can United take another step towards an 18th league title by
winning the 151st Manchester derby?
Form Guide: United’s midweek Champions League triumph over
Arsenal was the fifth straight win since losing the FA Cup
semi-final to Everton on penalties. The Reds will be desperate to
avenge last year’s 2-1 home defeat to City but more importantly
three points would leave the champions needing a maximum of four
points from the remaining three games to retain the title (86
points is the highest possible total Liverpool can achieve). City
come to Old Trafford on the back of four straight wins including an
impressive 2-1 away victory over United’s FA Cup conquerors
Everton, only their second away league win this campaign. Mark
Hughes’ men currently lie eighth and are battling with West Ham,
Fulham and Spurs for seventh place in the league and with it,
Europa League football next season.
Ins and Outs: Correctly predicting Sir Alex Ferguson’s starting
line-up has often proved difficult this season and it’s no
different for Sunday’s match. There will likely be starting berths
for Paul Scholes and Carlos Tevez, who played no part in the
Champions League semi-final second leg win over Arsenal, and Darren
Fletcher could be given a chance to put his final heartache behind
him and drive the Reds’ midfield. City are without injured duo
Craig Bellamy and Benjani, who scored both goals at Old Trafford
last season, though versatile defender Pablo Zabaleta is expected
to return after a hamstring problem. Shaun Wright-Phillips is in
contention after missing five games through injury, but in-form
Brazilian midfielder Elano may keep him out of the eleven.
Star Man: Brazilian striker Robinho has scored in each of City’s
past three games, but these have been his only three goals of 2009.
Undoubtedly a precocious talent, his form has suffered away from
Eastlands – only three of his 15 goals this season have been scored
on the road. United should also be wary of the impressive Stephen
Ireland, who was nominated for PFA Young
Player of the Year alongside Reds duo Rafael and Jonny Evans.
Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside). Foy will be taking charge at
Old Trafford for the first time this season, though he has refereed
the Reds’ away games at Portsmouth, Stoke City and Aston Villa plus
the Carling Cup final against Spurs. In 34 games this season, he
has shown 112 yellow cards but only two reds.