After 21 league games Manchester City sit second on 47 points, two points behind leaders Chelsea. 12 months ago Manuel Pellegrini’s mob had the same number of points and were one point and one place behind pacesetters Arsenal.

England women play their first ever match at the home of football against Germany and 26-year-old Houghton will captain the side in front of 55,000 fans.

Marcos Lopes was voted the Rising Star at this year’s North West Football Awards and has a ‘great talent’ according to his captain.

The anxiety at the Etihad in the closing minutes of the Manchester derby that gripped the fans and transmitted to the players cannot go on if City are to mount a charge for the Champions League knockout stages.

With the latest clash between the city’s two football titans taking place at the Etihad Stadium today, the global focus is certainly on this ‘football mad’ metropolis.

Rooney has already been the target of two bids from title rivals Chelsea

‘You can never make excuses – in football, never,’ said Txiki Begiristain

City’s summer spending spree will reap rewards, claims Aguero

The Blues are thought to value Mangala closer to £30million

Rooney takes to Facebook to patch rift with fans

The 29-year-old has been linked with Italian giants