Louis van Gaal’s men, now unbeaten in nine Premier League fixtures, could only wrestle a draw from Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Sunday, despite having confidently dispatched Newcastle United on Boxing Day.

United were in devilish form at Old Trafford on Sunday as they sealed their sixth consecutive Premier League victory by beating Liverpool 3-0.

The relative lack of current success for both clubs is threatening to take some of the bite out this most tempestuous of clashes.

City are currently on fire with six consecutive wins and celebrated qualification into the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday.

Manchester City defender Gael Clichy believes that City can achieve greatness this year if they continue to play as they did in last night’s crucial Champions League group game against AS Roma.

Robin van Persie’s double secured a 2-1 victory for United – their fifth on the bounce – against Southampton on Monday evening, though they only managed three shots on goal, their lowest tally in a game since 2003.

Argentine striker Aguero went off with knee ligament damage before City ran out 1-0 winners over Everton in the Premier League at The Etihad as they look ahead to Wednesday’s must-win Champions League game.

The 29-year-old ensured Louis van Gaal’s men recorded a fourth straight league victory with a remarkable goal line clearance in the dying moments against Stoke on Tuesday as United seek to pass third-placed Southampton this evening.

United manager Louis van Gaal has again been promised another vast transfer budget to continue re-shaping his United squad, on top of the £150million spent in the last window.

City, who have lost just one of their last 11 league games, welcome Everton to the Etihad tomorrow and currently lie six points behind leaders Chelsea.

The club have brought through 36 players to be ranked second of the 98 clubs surveyed by the International centre for sports studies and 12 of those still play for United.