Manchester City visit Old Trafford to face Premier League leaders Manchester United in a derby on Monday evening. The last time these two teams met at the same venue, the Citizens recorded a crushing 6-1 win.

Ferguson-Mancini
Reuters

Where to Watch Live

Kick-off is set for 8pm GMT. Live coverage will be available on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 1 HD. Radio coverage will be on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Overview

Sir Alex Ferguson's side are sitting comfortably on top of the Premier League table with 77 points from 30 games, leading second-placed City by 15 points. A victory over the English champions at Old Trafford could see them increase the gap to 18 points at the top and they will be inching closer towards the league title with seven more games remaining in the season.

United enter this game after a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in the replay of the FA Cup quarter final. The Red Devils have only the league title to fight for this season, after losing to Real Madrid in a controversial manner in the Champions League.

The Old Trafford club are currently enjoying great form in the league as they are undefeated in their last 18 league games; their last defeat being against Norwich, last November. In addition to this, United stopper David De Gea has been in impressive form.

City, on the other hand, enter this game after a 4-0 victory over Newcastle United at the Etihad last weekend. Roberto Mancini's men have lost only once in the last six games in all competitions; the defeat was to Everton at Goodison Park.

The English champions need to look for a win in order to have any hope of retaining the league title this season. A defeat against United on Monday evening could also have an emotional impact on their next fixture, when they face Chelsea in the semi final of the FA Cup.

Team Guide

Manchester United

  • Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): L W W D L
  • Last Result: Chelsea 1 - 0 Manchester United

Manchester City

  • Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): W L W W W
  • Last Result: Manchester City 4 - 0 Newcastle United

Team News

Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie
Reuters

England international Wayne Rooney and Brazilian Rafael da Silva are both available for this game and are both likely to start. Midfielder Darren Fletcher is a long-term absentee. Ferguson will likely play the experienced Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic in the centre of the defence and with Patrice Evra taking his customary left-back role, youngsters Phil Jones and Chris Smalling will have to be content with a place on the bench.

Attacking options are plentiful, with Rooney and Robin van Persie joined by Javier Hernandez, Danny Welbeck and Shinji Kagawa. And then there are Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young. Expect Michael Carrick and Ryan Giggs in the centre of midfield, though, as they will be tasked with using their experience to shackle City's Yaya Toure.

Probable Line-Up: De Gea; Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Valencia, Giggs, Carrick, Young; Rooney, Van Persie

Mancini is without Brazilian Maicon, who has a knee problem. However, long-term absentee Micah Richards and Jack Rodwell could be available; they are likely to start from the bench, if picked. Former United star Carlos Tevez, with his Argentine compatriot Sergio Agüero, are likely to lead the attack. Expect Toure to be the man City look to for inspiration.

Probable Line-Up: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Nastasic, Clichy; Milner, Barry, Toure, Silva; Tevez, Agüero

Wayne Rooney Real Madrid