MANCHESTER CITY VS
MANCHESTER UNITED
FORM GUIDE
Manchester City
Manchester City 5-1 Birmingham City (Premier
League)
Burnley 1-6 Manchester City (Premier League)
Manchester City 3-0 Wigan Athletic (Premier League)
Manchester City 0-2 Everton (Premier League)
Fulham 1-2 Manchester City (Premier League)
Manchester United
Blackburn Rovers 0-0 Manchester United (Premier
League)
Manchester United 3-2 Bayern Munich (Champions League)
Manchester United 1-2 Chelsea (Premier League)
Bayern Munich 2-1 Manchester United (Premier League)
Bolton Wanderers 0-4 Manchester United (Premier League)
TEAM NEWS
Manchester City
Roberto Mancini is set to welcome back Wayne Bridge
and Stephen Ireland into his first-team squad after injury, while
Pablo Zabaleta is also likely to be involved after a two-match
suspension.
However, veteran full-back Sylvinho is less likely to play a part
in the game, as he has so far failed to recover from a calf
strain.
Possible starting XI: Given; Onouha, Toure, Kompany, Zabaleta;
De Jong, Barry; Bellamy, Johnson; Tevez,
Adebayor.
Manchester United
John O'Shea and Owen Hargreaves are both fit and available for Sir
Alex Ferguson — the last time Hargreaves was in one of United's
Premier League squads was back in September 2008.
Wayne Rooney is likely to be involved according to Ferguson,
although the Scot is unsure how big a part the striker will play in
the game. The 24-year-old is nevertheless more likely to feature
than Rio Ferdinand (groin) and Ryan Giggs (hamstring) who are both
racing to be fit for the clash.
Possible starting XI: Van der Sar; Rafael, Vidic, Ferdinand,
Evra; Valencia, Fletcher, Carrick, Park, Nani; Rooney.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Manchester City
If City are to emerge victorious on Saturday
afternoon, chances are Carlos Tevez will play a
massive part in the result. The Argentine international has been in
prolific form this season, scoring more league goals (13) than
anyone else in 2010 on his way to 22 for the campaign.
His energy and industry is an asset in every game he plays, but
with the extra incentive of showing his former employers what they
are missing (again) Tevez should be well-placed to expose what
could be an under-strength United backline.
Manchester United
Over 20-odd years at Manchester United, Sir Alex
Ferguson has learned a thing or two about management, and
Saturday's derby looks the perfect opportunity for the Scot to
demonstrate his tactical expertise. Ferguson will look to pinch
City in midfield, making it difficult for the likes of Gareth Barry
to distribute the ball to Craig Bellamy, Adam Johnson and
Tevez.
In this pursuit Darren Fletcher will be heavily
relied on. The Scottish international is a diligent midfield
worker, and will have to hassle his opponents and marshal his
team-mates to prevent City's explosive forward line seeing too much
of the ball in threatening positions. Only then might the likes of
Rooney get the chance to show their own goalscoring
quality.
PREDICTION
Manchester City's players could hardly ask for any more incentive
to finally put one over their illustrious rivals. Beaten in the
final minutes of not one, but two ties at Old Trafford this season,
Roberto Mancini won't have to do too much to get his charges fired
up.
In contrast, United will need to draw on all their resilience and
experience if they are to overcome recent disappointments and keep
their ever-improving rivals at arms length for a while
longer.
But with Carlos Tevez keen to prove yet another point and Wayne
Rooney unlikely to play a full part in proceedings, that could
prove to be the difference for the delighted home support.
Manchester City 2-1 Manchester
United