A lot has changed since City's 1-0 win in the reverse fixture earlier this season, as United look to finally break their home jinx against their 'noisy neighbors' with a win on Sunday.
It's one of the most anticipated matches on the Barclay Premier League calendar, as Manchester United take on Manchester City, at Old Trafford this Sunday. The city of Manchester comes to a stand still whenever these two sides meet, and both sets of fans will be hoping their team comes away with all three points.
After a difficult start to the season, Louis Van Gaal's 'philosophy' is finally working at Manchester United as they have been on a great run of form that saw them beat Tottenham Hotspur and arch rivals Liverpool in recent weeks.
United are on the back of five consecutive wins in the Premier League and will be looking for a morale boosting win against their crosstown rivals, come Sunday.
Ten years ago, the Manchester derby was a fixture that was never a fiercely contested one, as Manchseter United were always the dominant side. A win for City would be considered a major upset for United more than anything as City unlike United never competed for the title.
But since the Abu Dhabi group took over the reigns at Manchester City, the Manchester derby has suddenly become a very closely fought affair.
Even though Manchester United boast of a better head-to-head record with 69 wins over City's 49 wins in this fixture, United haven't got the better of their once relegation threatened neighbours Manchester City since the latter's multi-million takeover, with both teams getting the better of each other on six occasions and playing out a draw only on one occasion.
Over the past three seasons, this fixture has turned out to be the title deciding match. City beat United 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium on April 30, 2012 that had arguably clinched the title for them, but their 6-1 demolition of their crosstown rivals on October 23 was the main reason why they went on to win the league on goal difference on the final day of the season, that saw Sergio Aguero net the winner in the 94th minute of the match. It was the only time that the Premier League title was decided on goal difference.
The following season saw Manchester United take the league by storm, and a certain Robin Van Persie who chose to be transferred to Manchester United instead of Manchester City from Arsenal, was in scintillating form that season and scored the winner against City through a free-kick, ironically in the 94th minute of the match at the Etihad Stadium. The match was City's first loss at home in almost a year, and their form in the league dipped since then in that season. Although the reverse fixture saw City beat United 2-1 courtesy of Ageuro's incredible solo goal, United were already on their way to clinch their 20th League title at the end of the season.
A disastrous 2013-14 season under David Moyes saw City beat United 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium and 3-0 at Old Trafford. Even though City went on to win the League on the final day of the season, it was the first time in two seasons that this fixture wasn't the title decider. And it looks like that trend will continue this season.
In the reverse fixture earlier this season, City edged past United in a fiercely contested match at the Etihad Stadium. United went down to 10 men when Chris Smalling was shown a red card for two bookable offences late in the first half. In spite of being a man down United fought resolutely throughout the match, but eventually conceded a goal thanks to Sergio Aguero's belter in the second half, that turned out to be the only goal of the game.
United who are currently in third place with 62 points in the table are a point above City who are fourth with 61 points. United sit above their 'noisy neighbours' in the Premier League table for the first time since they won the title during Sir Alex Ferguson's final season in 2013, and will look to extend their lead ahead of their fierce rivals, by taking all three points on Sunday. But City on the other hand can boast of the fact that they have beaten United consecutively on three previous occasions at Old Trafford, which includes their 6-1 rout in 2011, and will look to repeat their dominant feat at United's home this Sunday.
City were title contenders a month back, but their poor form in the Premier League that includes a defeat to minnows Burnley, has brought them in the mix for the race to clinch the Champions League places. A win for either team will do great for their chances for a top 4 finish, with both teams vying for a coveted place in Europe's elite competition on Sunday.
United's Robin Van Persie, who scored the winner in United's last win over City, is set to miss the clash on Sunday due to the ankle injury he suffered during the League game against Swansea that put him out of action for over a month.
United skipper Wayne Rooney, who became the leading goal scorer against Villa with 14 goals in all competitions last weekend, is incidentally the all-time leading scorer in this fixture with 11 goals, and will be the main man for his team on Sunday. Rooney who is United's leading scorer this season will look to continue his dominant record against the Champions with a goal and inspire his team to a victory that will take them five points above them in the Premier League table.
Who will get the bragging rights after Sunday's much anticipated Manchester derby? Will the Red Devils finally break their jinx at home to City, or will City continue to prevail on enemy territory?
Kick Off: April 12, 20:30.
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