The Opposition – Manchester United

We all know who they are and we’ve all been reminded how successful they have been.

But United will be looking to protect their record against the blues on derby day as they attempt to overhaul Chelsea at the top of the Premier League.

The reds sit four points behind the leaders and just eleven points clear of the blues, which is a much narrower gap between the two than has been in recent years. The two teams have already played each other three times, with United winning two to City’s one and the visitors will be hoping to make it three wins out of four and their second win on the trot at Eastlands in consecutive seasons.

United have been dogged by protests over control of the club by the Glazer family and this season the fans have been more vociferous than in previous years.

United will be hoping not to concede against City; in all three wins at Eastlands, United have not conceded a goal, but when City have scored, they have gone on to win the game.

      

Manager – Sir Alex Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson is the longest serving manager in the Premier League having taken over the reigns at Old Trafford in 1986, but it took him four years to win his first trophy, the FA Cup in 1990 after a replay against Crystal Palace. Since then he has guided United to success at home and abroad and was knighted for his efforts.

Ferguson is still at War with the BBC and still refuses to give interviews to the corporation. However, he will be forced to end his boycott next season.

Ground – Old Trafford

United moved from their Bank Street ground in Newton Heath in February 1910 and has been United’s home ever since, apart from sharing Maine Road for eight years when it was bombed during World War Two.

Former City and United Players You May Remember

Dennis Law, Terry Cooke, Andy Cole, Peter Schmeichel, Andrei Kanchelskis, John Gidman and of course, Carlos Tevez

And Some You May Not Have Realised Played For Both

Shaun Goater, Peter Beardsley, Ryan Giggs