Manchester Derby preview: Record in sight for high-flying City against unpredictable United

Bengaluru, December 9: Manchester United stand in between Pep Guardiola's Manchester City and a record of a 14th successive Premier League victories as the two sides meet in the Manchester Derby at Old Trafford on Sunday.

United vs City in numbers

Going into the game, high-flying City are eight points clear of second-placed United. Although it seems Man City have one hand on the title already, manager Guardiola said the EPL crown is far from their reach. "Winning, drawing or losing on Sunday, we are not going to win or lose the Premier League," he told reporters.

#PEP: The big challenge is to play good and control their start point. Try to do our game. The focus is going there, relax and knowing if you don't win individual duels it will be impossible to beat them.

— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 8, 2017

What's more, Guardiola was adamant that he's not looking for a record as he renews his rivalry with United's Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho.

2 - Manchester City have conceded more than once in the first half of a game for the first time since April (v Chelsea in the Premier League). Breached.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 6, 2017

"The record will be broken, my concern is how we win the game," he said. "If you play one game thinking about records, you forget what you have to do."

Merseyside derby

No Kompany?

Midfield dynamo David Silva is set to feature for City, but Vincent Kompany is doubtful for City's back-four.

For United, Zlatan Ibrahimovc, Phil Jones and Nemanja Matic are all available for the clash. Matic limped off in the second half during United's 3-1 win over Arsenal last week.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic ✔
Phil Jones ✔
Nemanja Matic ✔

The boss revealed #MUFC's team news for the derby earlier today: https://t.co/cwVmt6nWuk pic.twitter.com/mkfKoHruAN

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 8, 2017

The Red Devils will, however, be without Paul Pogba, who is serving a three-match suspension after a rash challenge on Arsenal's Hector Bellerin last week.

6 - Paul Pogba has provided six assists in his 12 games in all competitions for Man Utd this season, as many as he did in his 51 games for them last term. Selfless. pic.twitter.com/V4yloNJoJD

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 5, 2017

Mourinho is hopeful that his side can follow his game plan against Guardiola's well-worked City. He said the unpredictability of the game will see his side walk away with the three points "Football is unpredictable," Mourinho said. "As a manager, I can try to define a game plan and work a direction but you don't know what can happen. There are so many things that are out of my control that can totally transform the direction of the game.

"For me, it's one more big match against one of the best teams in the country. We are a better team than last year - I think Man City is also better than last season."

40 – @ManUtd are unbeaten in their last 40 home games in all competitions - they’ve never had a longer run on their own ground before. Naughty.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 5, 2017

'Good divers'

Mourinho has stoked tensions by accusing Manchester City players of diving.

"They defend well, they react well to the moment they lose the ball. They have a good dynamic in attack," he said. "They have creative movements, amazing players, a fantastic coach. "They have lots of good things. If you ask me one thing that I don't like a lot, it's that they lose balance very easily. A little bit of wind and they fall."

"I know that a derby is something special for the people," says the boss. "For us, it's about three points but I think that for the people it's a good, positive rivalry." #MUFC pic.twitter.com/qnOmnOYIbt

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 8, 2017

Last month, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger caused controversy by saying Raheem Sterling "dives well" after the England winger went down under a challenge from Nacho Monreal in the area. Sergio Aguero converted - City's second goal in a 3-1 win.

#PEP: Going to Old Trafford is a pleasure. That’s why we are here. I will enjoy it, definitely. I am looking forward to arriving and playing. I love to be there, working out what we can do to beat them. After we will shake hands.

— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 8, 2017

Sunday's big games

Southampton vs Arsenal (5.30 pm)

Liverpool vs Everton (7.45 pm)

Man United vs Man City (10 pm)

Live on Star Network

(With OPTA inputs)