The 20-times league champions head into the vital match on the back of a four-match unbeaten run, while City have lost their last two.

City have stuttered in recent weeks, first throwing away a 2-0 lead against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League before two domestic defeats on the bounce, to West Ham in the league and Newcastle in the Capital One Cup – losing their League Cup crown in the process.

Ahead of Manchester derby, MM analyse City and United players head to head

When Manchester City were bought out in 2008, Sir Alex Ferguson made a point of reasserting Manchester United’s dominance by completing the double over their local rivals.

Manchester United have celebrated hitting 60million Facebook likes by pitting their stars head-to-head.

The striker’s English heritage has come to light after it was revealed his Yorkshire-born great grandfather was murdered while living in Colombia.

In Chevrolet’s latest online teaser, a blank-faced squad member arrives at Manchester United to be met by adoring fans, deal with the press and enter the fabled home dressing room.

Roy Hodgson’s men come away from Tallin with the required three points, but did so in the frustratingly laboured manner that England fans have become accustomed to when watching their national side

Hodgson had suggested that the 28-year-old was never going to ‘stand up in front of a lecture room of people’ because of his scouse speech ahead of tonight’s clash with minnows San Marino.

The Match of the Day presenter feels there is an abundance of young talent coming through that should look to compete in the Wembley showpiece.

England welcome minnows San Marino to Wembley Stadium this Thursday in their latest Euro 2016 qualifier