Top-dog in Manchester will be on the line when United and City - separated by one point and one place - head into the 169th derby at Old Trafford today.
United, buoyed by five successive Premier League victories, are confident they can restore red ascendancy in the city by avoiding a fifth successive derby defeat. The Red Devils have more silverware in their trophy cabinet, but City have had the better of their local rivals during the last couple of years.
Last November's 1-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium was the fourth successive derby win for City. The last time they achieved that feat was 60 years ago.
Despite City's recent success in derbies, United go into the match as favourites with Manuel Pellegrini's side having dropped down to fourth after their morale-sapping defeat at Crystal Palace on Monday and trail leaders Chelsea by nine points.
However, City could become the first side in Premier League history to record five consecutive victories against Manchester United.
But United have put their early season struggles behind them to climb to third, eight points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool in the race for Champions League qualification.
Meanwhile United striker Robin van Persie will not play today's derby against City today despite returning to first-team training.
Van Persie trained with his team-mates for the first time this week since he suffered an ankle injury against Swansea on February 21, but he will not be risked as manager Louis van Gaal does not believe he is match fit.
Defender Jonny Evans is suspended, Luke Shaw is out with a hamstring problem, Chris Smalling is a doubt through illness and midfielder Andreas Pereira is away with the Brazil Under-20 side.
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany is doubtful for today's derby with a hamstring injury. Kompany felt the muscle tighten during Monday's Barclays Premier League defeat at Crystal Palace and will undergo a fitness test.
Strikers Wilfried Bony (ankle/knee) and Stevan Jovetic are also out, as is defender Dedryck Boyata (knee).
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