Match Focus: United Have Top Spot In View Ahead of the Manchester Derby

At the opposite end of the table there is another local derby to look forward to this weekend as Manchester United host City. Louis van Gaal's side would leapfrog the league leaders with a win but their trip to Moscow in midweek - while City hosted Sevilla - could give the visitors on Sunday a slight advantage. That said, without key men David Silva and Sergio Aguero to contend with, United's defence will be more than a little relieved. 

Wilfried Bony and Raheem Sterling, who notched all 5 goals between one another in City's win over Bournemouth last weekend, are no mugs, but the absence of the aforementioned pairing remains a blow to Manuel Pellegrini. The Chilean will be keen to have captain Vincent Kompany back in action at the other end then, given that his side have conceded in each of the 7 matches that the Belgian has not started since picking up an injury against Juventus last month.

If fit, Kompany is likely to come up against United skipper Wayne Rooney, who has been moved into the central striker position in recent matches. The Englishman has faced criticism this season but was on the scoresheet last weekend and has netted more goals in this fixture (11) than any other player. That said, the hosts’ main threat may well come in the form of Anthony Martial - moved to the left to accommodate Rooney's return - with the youngster netting his fifth goal for United in midweek. 

The teenager is Van Gaal's highest rated player in the Premier League this season according to WhoScored.com, with a score of 7.77 enough to rank 8th in England's top tier. Also set to be fielded from an unfavoured role on the left, another summer signing may be key for the away side, with Kevin De Bruyne likely to be full of confidence after a late winning goal and WhoScored rating of 8.01 on Wednesday. The former Chelsea playmaker has either scored or assisted a goal in 7 of his last 8 appearances for club and country.

Can United triumph in the first Manchester Derby of the season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below