Where Man City vs Manchester United will be won and lost

Manchester City take on Manchester United as both teams look to move closer to their final ambitions for the season.

Pep Guardiola's side are once again chasing the Premier League title and will look at three points that can keep them close to Liverpool ahead of their trip to Anfield next weekend. United, meanwhile, are trying to regain some momentum in the race for the top four after a damaging home defeat to Fulham.

City enter as heavy favourites for the clash, although this fixture has been an away victory more than a home one during Guardiola's time in England. Here are some of the key battles on the pitch that could define the derby.

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At Old Trafford earlier in the season, Bernardo Silva worked in tandem with Jack Grealish on the left and ran rings around United on their right. Grealish will miss the derby through injury, but Silva is not short of capable replacements to work with and could dovetail nicely with Phil Foden.

Silva has been one of the most influential players in the Manchester derby during his time at the club and is generally underrated for the many different roles that he performs in the team. He will again be asked to let his intelligence do the work on Sunday.

Diogo Dalot has cemented a regular place in the United side this season and has been one of their more reliable players. How well he is able to stem the left if Silva is lurking may well decide how easily City can get in behind United.

Erling Haaland is the obvious one for United to watch but the midweek game in Luton showed how telepathic his relationship