Manchester Derby 2015: Head-to-Head Record, Key Players and Predictions
The first Manchester derby of the 2015-16 Premier League season is finally upon us as third-placed Manchester United welcome second-placed Manchester City to Old Trafford on Sunday.
It's not just bragging rights that are at stake, as a win for Louis van Gaal's side would see them go one point ahead of the Sky Blues, while defeat at the hands of their neighbours will leave them five points off the pace.
United shared the global kick-off times for the showpiece via their official Twitter feed:
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Viewers in the UK can watch the game on Sky Sports 1 or stream it live via Sky Go, while those in the United States can catch the action on NBCSN or online at NBC Sports Live Extra.
Here is the teams' recent head-to-head record since City were taken over in 2008, and read on for a look at which players are set to have a big impact on the game followed by a prediction as to how the match will play out:
| 30th November, 2008 | Manchester City | 0–1 | Manchester United |
| 10th May, 2009 | Manchester United | 2–0 | Manchester City |
| 20th September, 2009 | Manchester United | 4–3 | Manchester City |
| 17th April, 2010 | Manchester City | 0–1 | Manchester United |
| 10th November, 2010 | Manchester City | 0–0 | Manchester United |
| 12th February, 2011 | Manchester United | 2–1 | Manchester City |
| 23rd October, 2011 | Manchester United | 1–6 | Manchester City |
| 30th April, 2012 | Manchester City | 1–0 | Manchester United |
| 9th December, 2012 | Manchester City | 2–3 | Manchester United |
| 8th April, 2013 | Manchester United | 1–2 | Manchester City |
| 22nd September, 2013 | Manchester City | 4–1 | Manchester United |
| 25th March, 2014 | Manchester United | 0–3 | Manchester City |
| 2nd November, 2014 | Manchester City | 1–0 | Manchester United |
| 12th April 2015 | Manchester United | 4–2 | Manchester City |
Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City
Kevin De Bruyne has been something of a revelation since arriving in the summer.
Sky Sports pundit Phil Thompson thought the Belgian would struggle to get into the Sky Blues' team, but the 24-year-old has more than secured a starting berth with some sublime form, illustrated by Belgian football expert Kristof Terreur:
His impact is hardly surprising, though, after racking up an incredible 16 goals and 28 assists in all competitions for Wolfsburg last season.
The Times' James Ducker and Stuart Brennan of the Manchester Evening News are among those in awe of his ability to not only see passes that other's can't, but to execute them perfectly as well:
De Bruyne came to the rescue for City against Sevilla on Wednesday with a last-gasp winner, and a strong performance at Old Trafford will be crucial to City's chances of success.
The midfielder has featured on both flanks and centrally this season and seems to be effective from anywhere. Wherever he starts on Sunday, expect him to cause United some real problems with his wonderful array of passing, not to mention his significant goal threat.
Anthony Martial, Manchester United
Equally revelatory has been Anthony Martial for United, who has gone from a virtual unknown to arguably United's biggest goalscoring threat.
The 19-year-old has scored six goals for the Red Devils since arriving shortly before the transfer window slammed shut, impressing with his remarkable composure and finishing skills.
Football journalists Jonas Giaever and Rafael Hernandez championed the striker on social media after he scored an exquisite header to earn United a point away at CSKA Moscow in the Champions League on Wednesday:
Martial was controversially deployed on the left wing against CSKA while Wayne Rooney toiled away unsuccessfully in a central striking role.
According to Sky Sports, Van Gaal told MUTV: "He can play, in my opinion, four positions. He can play at seven—as a right-winger, 11—the left-winger, the striker's position and also at 10, I believe."
The Frenchman was left somewhat stranded out on the left in Moscow, though, and was rewarded for gliding into the penalty area to head home the equaliser from a central position.
Further, Rooney's inability to significantly impact games the way he used to continues unabated. Football writer Liam Canning is a particularly vocal critic, even after Rooney got on the scoresheet against Everton in United's last Premier League outing:
Like De Bruyne, Martial will be key to United's hopes whether he starts centrally or out wide as Rooney can no longer be relied upon.
If the youngster is deployed on the wing on Sunday, he needs to push forward into the penalty area at every opportunity or United could look blunted and dull in the final third yet again.
Prediction: Manchester United 1-2 Manchester City
