Where the derby will be won and lost amid Manchester United's dilemma and key Man City question

You won't find many bigger fixtures on the football calendar than Manchester United vs Manchester City.

It has a 142-year history and the city rivals have claimed 20 of the 31 Premier League titles on offer over the past three decades. The Blue half has had more to cheer recently given they won the last meeting between the two sides at Wembley in the FA Cup final on their way to the treble.

City will be favourites this weekend as well given they're three-time champions while United have been a work in progress this term under Erik ten Hag. But the Reds come into the contest on the back of three straight wins and the Dutchman masterminded a victory in the corresponding fixture last term as United won 2-1 at Old Trafford.

City have claimed four of the past five derbies and Sunday afternoon's titanic clash promises to be an enthralling encounter between Pep Guardiola's possession-based side and a United outfit likely to adopt a more counter-attacking approach. Here, MEN Sport takes a look at where the derby might be won and lost.

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The Reds recent derby success has been achieved playing on the break and utilising the forward pace on transition. With City almost certain to enjoy more of the ball, a repeat tactic could be deployed this weekend.

And United's discipline out of possession and how clinical they are when opportunities come their way will be crucial to their chances. And City's defensive record allows room for optimism with Guardiola's side having kept just one clean sheet in their last 11 matches, even when dominating games.

City