Premiership
Old Trafford
Sunday, 10 February; KO: 13:30 BST



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Premiership Table:


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Manchester United have striker Wayne Rooney and left-back Patrice Evra suspended, while forward Louis Saha (knee) is still injured.

Sir Alex Ferguson is considering giving 17-year-old striker Danny Welbeck his senior debut.

Manchester City's Benjani Mwaruwari is set to make his debut up front after a protracted move from Portsmouth.

Playmaker Elano and defender Vedran Corluka are suspended but Micah Richards is fit after a back injury.



(from):
Van der Sar, Kuszczak
Brown, O'Shea, Simpson, Ferdinand, Vidic, Fletcher, Nani, Park, Scholes, Ronaldo, Anderson, Carrick, Hargreaves, Giggs
Tevez, Welbeck


(from):
Hart, Jihai, Onuoha, Dunne, Richards, Ball, Hamann, Fernandes, Petrov, Vassell, Mpenza, Ireland, Sturridge, Benjani, Geovanni, Schmeichel, Garrido, Caicedo, Etuhu



Quote:

Originally Posted by Man Utd manager Sir Alex Ferguson: "I hope we win the game and put in a very good performance, and I think it goes hand in hand with the memory of the Munich disaster. "I hope it is a motivation for the players, absolutely. It is a responsibility for them to do well on Sunday. It's a big day for the club. "We have an excellent home record against City but one thing you have to remember is in a derby anything can happen."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Man City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson: "I think Benjani will fit in very well. He's played up front by himself for Portsmouth many times, and I hope he can play on Sunday. "He's a very good footballer. He's scored 12 goals in the league so far this season, which is a good record. "When we had the opportunity to take him, I did not hesitate at all, my reaction was 'yes, let's take him'."

BIG-MATCH FACTS


Rarely has a Manchester derby been as moving and as emotional as this one is likely to be, coming as it does at the end of a week of activities to commemorate
the 50th anniversary of the Munich Air disaster which claimed the lives of 23 people, including eight of the famous "Busby Babes" and three club officials.
The match will be preceded by a minute's silence, which the club are confident will deliver a fitting tribute to those who died.

Top spot in the Premier League has changed hands four times in seven games, and will do again if United win
the 149th major competitive Manchester derby and 138th in the league.
Arsenal currently top of the table by two points, but are not in action against Blackburn until Monday night.

It's back-to-back fixtures against the Premier League's top two for City, with the Manchester derby following last weekend's 1-3 home defeat by Arsenal.

United are challenging for a 13th straight home win in the Premier League; City looking for only their third away league victory.

Sven Goran-Erikkson's side are 19 points behind the Red Devils, but still in contention for European qualification,
and on the look-out for a 12th victory to pass last season's total of 11.
Then they finished 14 points behind seven placed Bolton, who claimed the lowest Uefa Cup qualifying spot.

City won the reverse fixture 1-0 in August, and are chasing a first double over their arch rivals since 1969-70.

The eclipse of United at the City of Manchester Stadium is the Citizen's only victory against a "Big Four" club this season

CLUB FORM:

Club stats
Fixtures

Club stats
Fixtures

KEY PLAYER NOTES






Cristiano RONALDO

is Manchester United's top scorer with 27 goals, including 13 in his last 10 games.

RONALDO is also their leading Premier League marksman with 19, and leads the race for the Barclays Golden Boot.

RONALDO has scored 50 goals in two seasons for United.



TEVEZ and RONALDO

have scored 60% of the Red Devils' goals this season (41 of 68).

Wayne ROONEY is a hat-trick shy of 50 Premier League goals for Manchester United.

If selected:-

Carlos TEVEZ will be making his 50th career Premier League appearance (West Ham and Manchester United).

If on the field from the outset:-

Chris EAGLES will be making his 50th club league start (Manchester United, Watford and Sheffield Wednesday).

Long term injury, Gary NEVILLE will be making his 350th Premier League start for Manchester United.







ELANO

is Manchester City's top scorer with seven goals.

ELANO is also the club's top Premier League marksmen with five.


GEOVANNI

has scored the quickest goal of this Premier League season.

He netted after 28 seconds of Steve Bruce's first game in charge of Wigan at the JJB Stadium on 1 December.

Darius VASSELL needs one to total 50 career Premier League goals (Aston Villa and Manchester City).

If on the field from the outset:-

Richard DUNNE will be making his 350th club career start (Everton and Manchester City).

HEAD TO HEAD

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Rooney 6

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Saha 45

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Ronaldo 84

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Trabelsi 72

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Geovanni 31