Both Manchester clubs are battling for top spot despite problems Sir Alex Ferguson will come face to face with Roberto Mancini in the first Manchester derby of the season at the Etihad Stadium, later today. Top spot in the Premier League table is up for grabs in a fixture that the Eastlands side dominated last season. This time around, both clubs are yet to find consistency in form, and victory for either could well bring that added bout of confidence.
United are three points ahead of second-placed City, who in-turn lead Chelsea in third by four points. Last season, City gained an edge in the title race with their 1-0 victory over United towards the end of the season. Mancini's men also stunned Old Trafford with a 6-1 triumph early on in the campaign.
United midfielder Ryan Giggs expects today's encounter to be closer: "We are both in a similar situation. We have found over the last couple of years that the derby, with the money City have spent and the quality they have brought in, has got bigger and bigger. The two games against them were the difference last season. Hopefully we can get the right result and that will be the difference come the end of this season."
Mancini has seen his City side get knocked out of all European competition. In terms of today's fixture, the Italian does not care about the scoreline, as long as his side come out on top: "A 1-0 is enough for us. They will improve their defensive face. At the start of the season, we had the same problems and we improved. It will be the same for them. With the 6-1, they had only 10 players for most of the second half. But in the second derby, we played very well. We did not concede any chances. The second was a true derby because when you have 10 men, it’s clear that you have some problems."
Mancini hopes to recall Spanish midfielder David Silva after a hamstring injury. James Milner and Gael Clichy could also return to the side, with Aleksandar Kolarov ruled out with an ankle problem.
United will be without midfielders Antonio Valencia, Nani and Anderson. Tom Cleverly is also a doubt will a late fitness test on his calf.