Manchester United vs Man City LIVE score: Result and reaction as Fernandes and Rashford complete turnaround

Manchester United and Manchester City meet at Old Trafford for the 189th Manchester derby this afternoon with both teams desperate for points to move closer to realising their Premier League ambitions.

City are in an intense battle for the title with Arsenal, currently trailing the Londoners by five points meaning they can scarcely afford to slip up, while United are competing with the likes of Newcastle, Tottenham and Liverpool for a top-four spot.

Having said that, if the Red Devils do get revenge for the 6-3 humbling they suffered at the hands of their city rivals back in October, they will move just a point behind Pep Guardiola’s men and can perhaps begin to dream of a title charge.

Certainly, Erik ten Hag has them playing with confidence, as the Dutchman has now won 20 of his first 27 competitive matches in charge - the fewest games taken to reach this landmark by any manager in the club’s history - and United are on a run of just one loss in the 18 matches since the derby defeat three months ago.

Follow all the action from Old Trafford with our live blog below:

Man Utd vs Man City updates

• Manchester United face Manchester City in the 189th Manchester derby

• 82’ - GOAL! Rashford slides home Garnacho cross to compete comeback (MUN 2-1 MCI)

• 78’ - GOAL! Fernandes scores controversial equaliser after Rashford initially ruled offside (MUN 1-1 MCI)

• 60’ - GOAL! Grealish makes an impact off the bench as he heads in De Bruyne’s cross (MUN 0-1 MCI)

• 37’ - SAVE! Ederson smothers when Rashford through one on one (MUN 0-0 MCI)

• 34’ - OFF THE LINE! Rashford rounds a stranded Ederson but Akanji clears off the line (MUN 0-0 MCI)

• 10’ - CLOSE! Fernandes flashes a shot just wide (MUN 0-0 MCI)

• Man Utd are on an eight-game winning run under Erik ten Hag with confidence soaring

• Man City thumped their rivals 6-3 in October but have had a couple of wobbles in the Premier League title race

Manchester United FC 2 - 1 Manchester City FC

FULL TIME! Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City

14:25 , Jamie Braidwood

What a turnaround, what a result for the Premier League title race! A classic Manchester derby!

Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City

14:24 , Jamie Braidwood

90+5 mins: Bernardo’s cross is headed away twice by Martinez, then Shaw clears, and finally De Gea gathers! United almost there.

Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City

14:24 , Jamie Braidwood

90+4 mins: Whistles now from the Old Trafford crowd as City look to find a way through. Shaw snaps into Bernardo to win it back as United get back out to halfway.

Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City

14:23 , Jamie Braidwood

90+3 mins: United are camped on the edge of their box as Rodri plays it out to Grealish, his cross looks for Haaland at the back post but Shaw defends it well!

Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City

14:21 , Jamie Braidwood

90+1 mins: How good has Fred been today? He nicks the ball from Rodri on the edge of the box as United counter-attack. They work the ball out to Garnacho on the left, which gets them up the pitch. Harry Maguire is also coming on for the final few minutes. Rashford, Casemiro and Malacia are off.

Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City

14:19 , Jamie Braidwood

90 mins: There will be FIVE added minutes. Lisandro Martinez and Scott McTominay are set to come on for United.

Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City

14:19 , Jamie Braidwood

89 mins: From the free-kick, De Bruyne plays it short and United get out well to clear.

Rashford has scored in seven consecutive appearances for Manchester United, by the way, as well as his past nine at Old Trafford.

Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City

14:17 , Jamie Braidwood

88 mins: Fred brings down Grealish for a yellow card, which the City forward was not happy about. Meanwhile Casemiro is down and is receiving treatment.

Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City

14:15 , Jamie Braidwood

86 mins: Haaland goes down in the box! But no penalty! Haaland is furious but the check is over, nothing given. The ball broke to the City striker in the box but Casemiro dipped in a toe to nick it away as Haaland shaped to shoot. Looked a well timed challenge.

Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City

14:14 , Jamie Braidwood

84 mins: That is madness! The title race may have just turned in a matter of moments. Garnacho has made a brilliant impact and City are rocking!

GOAL! Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City (RASHFORD 82’)

14:11 , Jamie Braidwood

OH MY WORD! Bedlam inside Old Trafford as United turn it around in three minutes!

There is so, so much space for United to attack as the ball is played out to Garnacho on the left. He shapes up Ake, before turning and fizzing a brilliant cross into the box, where Rashford is alive to poke the ball under Ederson!

Rashford scores again and City are suddenly staring at defeat!

GOAL! Manchester United 1-1 Manchester City (FERNANDES 79’)

14:08 , Jamie Braidwood

THEY HAVE GIVEN IT! WOW!

City are furious but United are level! Well, well. let’s unpack this. United turned to drive forward and Casemiro slipped through Rashford, who was in acres of space but clearly offside. Rashford was shaping to shoot, but then backed off when he realised he was offside. Behind him, Fernandes stepped up to curl the ball past Ederson and fire United level!

The flag initially went up for offside, but VAR intervenes and says Rashford did not impact it!

We will be hearing about that decision for a long, long time.

NO GOAL! Manchester United 0-1 Manchester City

14:07 , Jamie Braidwood

United have the ball in the net but the flag is up! This is going to be controversial, though...

Manchester United 0-1 Manchester City

14:06 , Jamie Braidwood

77 mins: Space for Garnacho! But Walker and Akanki are all over him and the centre back steps across to win the ball back down the left. In the middle Rashford and Rodri were going at it, but it’s just a warning for the City midfielder.

Manchester United 0-1 Manchester City

14:04 , Jamie Braidwood

74 mins: But now there is some pressure from United, as Garnacho’s touches create some energy. However Malacia and then Shaw’s crosses into the box from the left are not threatening, and City are able to clear.

Manchester United 0-1 Manchester City

14:03 , Jamie Braidwood

73 mins: There are a few murmurs going around Old Trafford as United concede possession in midfield. They’ve got to test Ederson at some point in this second half, surely?

Manchester United 0-1 Manchester City

14:01 , Jamie Braidwood

70 mins: Lovely again from Bernardo to turn away from Casemiro, as City take charge of the ball. It feels like a completely different game now with Guardiola’s side a goal ahead. Eriksen makes way for Garnacho.

Manchester United 0-1 Manchester City

13:59 , Jamie Braidwood

69 mins: Grealish with another nice turn and run, taking several United players with him to win a throw hight up the pitch. It looks like Garnacho is about to come on for United.

Manchester United 0-1 Manchester City

13:56 , Jamie Braidwood

66 mins: Better from United, who work it wide to Wan-Bissaka. The right back takes a shot which is deflected behind for a corner by Ake.

Manchester United 0-1 Manchester City

13:55 , Jamie Braidwood

65 mins: City’s record when taking the lead is pretty formidable, and it could lead to Haaland getting more space too.

Manchester United 0-1 Manchester City

13:53 , Jamie Braidwood

63 mins: That’s great from Grealish again as he drives inside, drawing a foul and yellow card from Eriksen. I had just said it before City scored, but United have not turned up in this second half. Can they respond now?

GOAL! Manchester United 0-1 Manchester City (GREALISH 60’)

13:49 , Jamie Braidwood

IMPACT! Off the bench, Jack Grealish heads City in front with their first effort on target of the match! It had been coming though and De Bruyne plays a crucial part in the breakthrough, as he bursts away from Casemiro to lift a lovely ball to the back post. Haaland was lurking but Grealish wanted it more to head City in front on the hour. After setting up Mahrez’s winner at Stamford Bridge, that’s another big contribution from Grealish as he nets his second of the season.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

13:48 , Jamie Braidwood

58 mins: City are totally in charge now and it feels like United have not come out for the second half. It’s attack vs defence as City search for the breakthrough.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

13:46 , Jamie Braidwood

57 mins: Grealish makes way for Foden, who was very quiet. Mahrez then whips a teasing ball towards the back post. Akanji heads it back in, but United are able to scramble clear.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

13:45 , Jamie Braidwood

55 mins: Cancelo goes on a mazy run down the left, ducking inside Casemiro and into the box. He tumbles to the ground under the challenge of Casemiro as the midfielder looks to recover and City appeal for a penalty. But it’s immediately waved away.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

13:44 , Jamie Braidwood

54 mins: City have increased the tempo at the start of this second half and now Jack Grealish is set to come on for Guardiola’s side.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

13:43 , Jamie Braidwood

53 mins: Better from City. Mahrez’s flick sets De Bruyne into space on the right wing. He picks out Bernardo at the back post, and the midfielder tries to head back across goal to find Haaland rather than hitting the target himself. Varane reads it well and clears.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

13:42 , Jamie Braidwood

52 mins: Shaw’s inswinger is dangerous and almost plays in Varane for a chance at the back post, as Casemiro goes down in the middle appealing for a penalty. Nothing given.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

13:41 , Jamie Braidwood

50 mins: Challenge! Ake lunges into Antony as the forward tried to turn, and wins a free kick for his troubles. Luke Shaw stands over the free kick...

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

13:39 , Jamie Braidwood

48 mins: City, meanwhile, seem to be having Walker drift more into midfield at the start of this half.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

13:37 , Jamie Braidwood

47 mins: United have tweaked things, and it looks like Antony is lining up in the central position, with Rashford staying out on the left. Bernardo Silva has space in front of him to drive into but his shot is blocked by Varane and gathered by De Gea.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

13:34 , Jamie Braidwood

Back underway in Manchester!

HALF TIME: Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

13:33 , Jamie Braidwood

Maybe not! Antony is heading on for Martial, who is hooked at half time. Rashford stays on!

HALF TIME: Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

13:28 , Jamie Braidwood

Antony is warming up at half time. Looks like Rashford’s match is over.

HALF TIME: Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

13:27 , Jamie Braidwood

Haaland has had just eight touches so far, with the majority of them coming in midfield rather than around the box.

HALF TIME: Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

13:25 , Jamie Braidwood

Rashford had more time than he thought here, although the angle made it difficult.

HALF TIME: Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

13:21 , Jamie Braidwood

Not a classic, but interesting enough, especially as Man City’s struggles in possession seem to be continuing. For all of their possession, they have not had a single shot on target and it’s instead United who are carrying more threat on the counter-attack. Marcus Rashford had the two best chances of the half, first rounding Ederson only to see his shot blocked off the line by Manuel Akanji, and then seeing his lifted finish smothered by the City goalkeeper. As for City, they’ve barely carried a threat, and Erling Haaland’s touch map will be interesting to see...

HALF TIME: Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

13:18 , Jamie Braidwood

Goalless at the break. Not a classic.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

13:18 , Jamie Braidwood

45 +1 mins: CLOSE! Well, for all of City’s possession this is as close as they have come. Walker picks up the ball 30 yards out and tries his luck, cutting across the strike well to have De Gea scrambling towards his far post. The shot fizzes just wide.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

13:16 , Jamie Braidwood

44 mins: The final exhances of the first half see City frustrated again on the edge of the United box, especially as Mahrez is flattened by Casemiro without receiving a free kick.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

13:14 , Jamie Braidwood

42 mins: Oh, Rashford is back up and has returned, but Antony is warming up. Just a couple of minutes to go until half time, so maybe United are just waiting to see how it is.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

13:12 , Jamie Braidwood

40 mins: Oh no... Rashford goes down and slams the turf in frustration. It’s the reaction of a player who knows they have done something. He pulled up holding his left side after Fernandes clipped a pass behind Akanji, who was able to beat him to it. Rashford is walking along the touchline...

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

13:10 , Jamie Braidwood

37 mins: SAVE! Big chance for Rashford but Ederson gets out well this time! United cut City open very easily, with Eriksen being able to turn in midfield and spot Rashford in space on the left. He finds the big gap behind the City defence and plays in the forward, who takes a touch to burst away into the box. Rashford’s final touch was just a bit too heavy, though, and it allowed Ederson to get out to make the block as the forward looked to lift the shot. Rashford is starting to make an impact and City look vulerable in the spaces he so often likes to run into.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

13:07 , Jamie Braidwood

35 mins: The game is starting to flow a bit now. There’s a half chance for Foden at the back post, but Wan-Bissaka gets up well to challenge him. Then Malacia stays calm to chest back to De Gea following Foden’s cross.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

13:06 , Jamie Braidwood

33 mins: OFF THE LINE! Best chance of the game so far for United, and it all comes down to Ederson’s rash decision to come out of his goal! United switch play to Rashford, who knocks it around the City goalkeeper and into space on the left. Rashford is still quite far from goal, but is able to take a touch to steady himself. But he takes too long and Akanji is able to get back to hack the clearance away. Let off for City and Ederson.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

13:03 , Jamie Braidwood

31 mins: That was wasteful from Fernandes. United were able to turn and come forward as Eriksen picked out Martial. Fernandes had space to drive into and had Malacia on his left, but Walker stepped in well. Malacia then goes down holding his head as the game stops.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

13:00 , Jamie Braidwood

29 mins: City are starting to create openings rather than chances, but it has dimmed the mood inside Old Trafford. Rashford has been very quiet so far and United have been unable to create the same sense of unease going forwards.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

12:58 , Jamie Braidwood

26 mins: City are starting to look a bit more dangerous. They cut through United well as Walker finds the pass inside to De Bruyne after driving forward in the space on the right. Haaland was an option, but he went outside again to Mahrez and Malacia was able to get over to make the challenge.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

12:56 , Jamie Braidwood

25 mins: Guardiola throws his hands up as Foden is caught offside again, this time from De Bruyne’s crossfield switch.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

12:55 , Jamie Braidwood

23 mins: Chance for Haaland! Bernardo finds some space on the edge of the box and clips a cross towards the back post. Malacia clears ahead of Mahrez but it breaks to Haaland, who takes a touch inside. Fred and Casemiro get out well, though, and make the block.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

12:54 , Jamie Braidwood

21 mins: Foden is caught offside as he tried to make the run in behind. That’s something City have done very little of so far, with Haaland looking to drop in rather than stretch play. I guess that creates more room for the likes of Foden, but United are looking fairly comfortable so far.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

12:52 , Jamie Braidwood

19 mins: That’s better from City as Mahrez and De Bruyne link up on the right, with Malacia conceding the corner. But United clear and then Fernandes blocks De Bruyne’s cross.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

12:49 , Jamie Braidwood

17 mins: Brilliant from Fred, again! This time he tracks De Bruyne over to the left, nibbling at the playmaker and winning it back for United with a sliding challenge. Ten Hag’s tactical tweak is working so far and Guardiola looks concerned.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

12:47 , Jamie Braidwood

15 mins: Fred is doing a great job on De Bruyne so far, and the Brazilian is following him everywhere. He charges down the Belgian on the right this time, winning a goal kick and receiving applause from the Stretford End.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

12:46 , Jamie Braidwood

14 mins: United break! Martial is released with a diagonal over the top. He waits for support and the ball into the box almost breaks to Fernandes, with Cancelo needing to slide in to make the clearance.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

12:44 , Jamie Braidwood

12 mins: The space for City is out wide, with United looking to flood the midfield through Eriksen, Fernandes, Casemiro and Fred - who is sticking tight on De Bruyne. Haaland continues to drop incredibly deep when City are on the ball. Shaw is looking to stay with him.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

12:42 , Jamie Braidwood

10 mins: WIDE! First chance of the game goes to United. Bernardo gives it away in midfield and Eriksen spots Fernandes out on the right. The midfielder takes a touch into the box and smashes a low shot across goal, but the angle just takes the shot wide of the far post.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

12:41 , Jamie Braidwood

9 mins: First moments of promise for United as Martial holds the ball up and finds the runners coming off him. There was space on the outside for Malacia but his cross is blocked, and it comes back for an offside anyway.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

12:39 , Jamie Braidwood

7 mins: Martial was looking to beat Ake to the ball on the United clearance but the Dutch defender covered well. Cancelo is looking to make the switch from left to right, hitting Mahrez, but his passes have been wayward on both occasions.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

12:38 , Jamie Braidwood

6 mins: Space opens up for Kevin De Bruyne in his favoured inside right channel. It’s fed in to Bernardo Silva, but then the move slows down and Cancelo can only dig out a cross to the back post, which United can clear.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

12:37 , Jamie Braidwood

5 mins: United can’t get on the ball at the moment. City are finding their routes out to release Cancelo and Walker, who gives it away cheaply as City come forward.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

12:35 , Jamie Braidwood

3 mins: City take early control of the ball in the opening exchanges. Bernardo Silva swings in a cross from the left but Tyrell Malacia cleans up on the opposite side, beatingRiyad Mahrez to the ball. But then City take back control.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

12:33 , Jamie Braidwood

2 mins: Interesting... Erling Haaland drops incredibly deep to receive the ball from Nathan Ake. Is that going to be the ploy from Guardiola today? Haaland false nine?

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

12:32 , Jamie Braidwood

1 min: Manchester United get us going, now let’s see if Pep Guardiola has sprung any surprises with Manchester City’s approach. Joao Cancelo makes a driving run inside from the left back position, and he is clipped from behind by Christian Eriksen.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

12:31 , Jamie Braidwood

KICK OFF! Underway at a damp Old Trafford.

Manchester United vs Manchester City

12:29 , Jamie Braidwood

The teams are out! Great sense of occasion here, as a rejuvenated Manchester United host a Manchester City side who have shown signs of vulnerability in recent matches.

It’s a huge game to kick off the Premier League weekend, and it’s live next!

Everton directors told to stay away from Southampton match due to ‘credible threat to their safety’

12:25 , Jamie Braidwood

Breaking news elsewhere in the Premier League...

Everton’s board of directors, including chairman Bill Kenright, will not attend this afternoon’s Premier League fixture against Southampton due to a “real and credible threat to their safety and security”.

Everton supporters are planning a sit-in protest after the relegation six-pointer against Southampton amid calls for the board to resign, but according to a statement “malicious and uncacceptably threatening correspondence” have been received by the club ahead of the match.

An Everton security and safety advisor said: “Following a thorough risk assessment, and in response to tangible threats received by the club and intelligence we have gathered, the club’s board members have been told they must not attend today’s fixture.”

A club statement added: “The board members received the instruction following malicious and unacceptably threatening correspondence received by the club and increasing incidents of anti-social behaviour – including targeted physical aggression - at recent home matches.”

Everton directors told to miss match due to ‘threat to their safety’

Erik ten Hag insists Manchester City remain the ‘best in the league’

12:21 , Jamie Braidwood

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag insists Premier League champions Manchester City are still the “best team in the league” despite their position behind Arsenal in the table.

”Arsenal are leading and are doing an incredible job and are a good team as well but I think City is a big test,” Ten Hag told BT Sport. “It is of course a derby but also the quality of the players and the co-operation in the team... You have to be good to win this game.

“It is more than Erling Haaland. We have to defend a lot of good players from them. The most important thing is to play our game and on the ball show belief, go forward as much as possible.”

Pep Guardiola on Manchester United: ‘They’ve been incredible’

12:15 , Jamie Braidwood

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says rivals United have been “incredible” this season as the Premier League champions look to cut the gap to Arsenal at the top of the table.

“We cannot forget who we are and where we are,” Guardiola told BT Sport. “We are a little bit away from the best team in the Premier League, in Arsenal, but we are second in the table and we are there. There are 60 or 63 points left to get in the season.”

“During the season there are good and bad moments. We will never forget who we are, we have to do the best performance we can, we will do it again. In this season they [Manchester United] have huge moments and a new manager has to settle. They’ve been incredible.”

Kevin De Bruyne: ‘It will be tough'

12:11 , Jamie Braidwood

Kevin De Bruyne is expecting a “tough” test against Manchester United as Manchester City look to bounce back from their midweek defeat to Southampton in the Carabao Cup.

“We didn’t play good enough against Southampton and we need to accept it. That doesn’t change the rest,” De Bruyne told BT Sport as he addressed some of the concerns surrounding City’s run of form.

“When you have a schedule like you have the last four games and it’s a lot of travelling, it is hard. But I don’t think different players change the outcome of the game. We have a good team and we will try to perform as best as we can.

“I think they have changed their style a little bit. In the last few years they were more on the counter-attack but now they play more possession-based football with Erik ten Hag. It will be tough.”

Bruno Fernandes: 'We have learned from our past’

12:06 , Jamie Braidwood

Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes says the team have “learned from our past” as they face Manchester City this afternoon, but insists “the demands are the same” ahead of the derby.

United were thashed 6-3 by City last time out and have a dismal recent record against their rivals at Old Trafford but Fernandes told BT Sport: “Obviously we want to win. Today is a big game and it is about what we can achieve today. We want to achieve a win like we do in every game.

“It’s a responsibility to play for this team and the demands are the same in every game. A derby is a different thing but for us the mindset is always the same. We need three points.

“The team has always been confident. We have learned from our past so we have to keep improving and doing the right things.”

Erik ten Hag tells Man Utd players to forget derby thrashing ahead of rematch

12:02 , Luke Baker

Erik ten Hag has urged Manchester United’s players to forget their 6-3 thrashing by Manchester City in October because they can only change the future, not the past.

United host Pep Guardiola’s team on Saturday but rather than using his first Manchester derby to motivate his players, Ten Hag will tell them to show the bravery to play, but without being naïve.

Erling Haaland and Phil Foden scored hat-tricks in the match at the Etihad Stadium, when United were 6-1 down before a late double by Anthony Martial.

But Ten Hag said: “It is not about that game any more. That is the past, it is about the future, You can’t change the past but you can change the future.

“It was a lesson and we took that lesson and from that point on we make huge progress so we have to continue the progress. That game was a setback. We can all find reasons why but always you have to act, to deliver.”

Erik ten Hag tells Man Utd players to forget derby thrashing ahead of rematch

Erik ten Hag starts to shift balance of power ahead of Manchester derby

11:57 , Luke Baker

It was the day when Erik ten Hag’s definition of respect was questioned, along with his tactics, writes Richard Jolly.

Four-one down in a Manchester derby, he chose not to introduce the record scorer in footballing history. “I wouldn’t bring him in out of respect for Cristiano,” he said and, as Manchester City’s advantage extended to 6-1 before Anthony Martial, the striker substitute he did call upon, scored twice, few credited him with a successful switch.

If it was one of a series of controversies around Cristiano Ronaldo that Ten Hag had to navigate with a blend of diplomacy, toughness and principle, it came at a precarious point in his reign at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag has started to shift the balance of power in Manchester

The nine days that could decide the Premier League title

11:52 , Luke Baker

At the top of Arsenal, the hierarchy share a view that has been discussed by supporters, and even within the squad. They believe that, if the club are to really maximise an opportunity at the Premier League title at this early stage of the team’s development, they probably need at least one significant signing in this window. They need the depth.

Manchester City’s 1-0 win at Chelsea was a warning. It wasn’t that Arsenal couldn’t manage such a victory, given they’ve already won at Stamford Bridge. It was the manner that City did it.

Just when it looked like they might be wavering following a 1-1 draw against Everton and an intense Christmas period after the World Cup, where Arsenal had initially stretched the gap, the champions again cut it by emphasising the financial gap. More than £160m worth of talent came off the bench in Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez and the two combined to win the game. The feeling within the buoyant City squad immediately afterwards was of one of those victories that means much more than the three points; that it can be the start of one of those title-winning streaks.

There’s that continuing sense City could just up it.

Our Chief Football Writer Miguel Delaney discusses the nine days that could decide the Premier League title:

The nine days that could decide the Premier League title

Man Utd prepared for Pep Guardiola mind games, Erik ten Hag claims

11:47 , Luke Baker

Erik ten Hag said Manchester United are prepared for any mind games Pep Guardiola is trying ahead of the Manchester derby and insisted he does not care about them.

Guardiola set the scene for Saturday’s clash at Old Trafford on Tuesday when he said he had some “ridiculous ideas” for the match.

The Manchester City manager has a habit of making surprise selections or trying unusual tactics, particularly in big games, but Ten Hag, who worked under him at Bayern Munich, has vowed to be ready for any unorthodox decisions.

He said: “I don’t care about that, what he is thinking, but he did it more often and we are prepared for that, if he does different things. We have our principles, our rules.”

Man Utd prepared for Pep Guardiola mind games, Erik ten Hag claims

Bruno Fernandes lifts lid on ‘punishment’ that kickstarted Man Utd’s return to form

11:42 , Luke Baker

Bruno Fernandes was part way through a 13.8-kilometre run in 33-degree heat when he turned around and realised a man in his fifties was just behind him. Not just any 52-year-old, admittedly, but the Manchester United manager. It was an early sign of the iron resolve of Erik ten Hag, the man whose commitment to high standards extends to his own fitness.

For Fernandes, who had considered his own future last season when he wondered if United’s ambitions extended beyond finishing fourth, it was a reassuring sight. Ten Hag was sharing the pain and sharing the blame after a terrible start to his reign.

Richard Jolly details the moment Bruno Fernandes got on board with the Ten Hag era:

Bruno Fernandes lifts lid on ‘punishment’ that kickstarted Man Utd’s return to form

Man Utd vs Man City team news

11:38 , Luke Baker

Interesting line-ups there.

From a Man Utd perspective, Anthony Martial was suffering with a leg injury that prevented him training this week but has been declared fit to play and starts up front. A slight surprise as Luke Shaw continues at centre-back, Tyrrell Malacia at left-back and Lisandro Martinez on the bench. Fred also plays, rather than the more attacking Antony.

For Manchester City, injuries to John Stones and Ruben Dias mean Nathan Ake moves inside to CB with the out-of-form and out-of-favour Joao Cancelo at left-back. Phil Foden starts instead of Jack Grealish in the front three with Riyad Mahrez and Erling Haaland.

Man Utd vs Man City team news

11:33 , Luke Baker

Confirmed line-ups

Man Utd XI: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Shaw, Malacia; Casemiro, Fred, Eriksen; Fernandes, Martial, Rashford

Man City XI: Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Ake, Cancelo; De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo; Mahrez, Haaland, Foden

Manchester United vs Manchester City team news

11:29 , Luke Baker

The teams should be announced any minute now as we move within an hour of kick-off.

Man Utd vs Man City: The best derby moments

11:26 , Luke Baker

Man City 2-3 Man Utd – April 2018

Pep Guardiola’s side had the mouthwatering prospect of sealing the Premier League title with victory over their city rivals.

They looked on course to do that as first-half goals from Vincent Kompany and Ilkay Gundogan put them 2-0 up at half-time.

But Jose Mourinho had other ideas and whatever he said to his United team at half-time worked wonders as United staged the ultimate second-half comeback.

Two Paul Pogba goals in three minutes drew them level and then Chris Smalling’s volley completed the turnaround and kept City’s champagne on ice.

Man Utd vs Man City: The best derby moments

11:21 , Luke Baker

Man City 2-3 Man Utd – December 2012

City were defending champions following Sergio Aguero’s famous moment a few months earlier and the two sides were again going at it at the top of the Premier League.

Wayne Rooney’s two goals inside the opening half-hour put the visitors in control but Yaya Toure pulled one back and then Pablo Zabaleta appeared to have earned City a draw in the 86th minute.

But Robin van Persie had the final say, sending in a stoppage-time free-kick which sparked ugly scenes in the stands.

Man Utd vs Man City: The best derby moments

11:16 , Luke Baker

Man Utd 1-6 Man City – October 2011

The ‘noisy neighbours’ highlighted the shift in power from red to blue in Manchester with a devasting result.

Mario Balotelli delivered his famous ‘Why always me’ moment when he put City in front midway through the first half and after Jonny Evans had been sent off for United, the Italian doubled his tally on the hour.

Sergio Aguero made it 3-0, with Darren Fletcher pulling one back, before a late blitz turned it into a rout.

Eden Dzeko scored twice and David Silva added a sixth as City handed down United’s heaviest home defeat in Premier League history – and went on to win the title ahead of their rivals on goal difference.

Man Utd vs Man City: The best derby moments

11:11 , Luke Baker

Man Utd 4-3 Man City – September 2009

Under former United striker Mark Hughes, City were trying to unsettle the establishment following their takeover the previous year and their 2009 visit to Old Trafford was a classic.

Wayne Rooney put United ahead, only for Gareth Barry to quickly equalise. Darren Fletcher regained the hosts’ lead after half-time, but it only lasted for three minutes as Craig Bellamy levelled again.

Fletcher’s second in the 80th minute looked like giving United all three points only for Bellamy to score a memorable goal for City in added time to level at 3-3.

But the drama did not end there as United went up the other end and won it when Michael Owen converted with virtually the last kick.

Man Utd vs Man City: The best derby moments

11:06 , Luke Baker

Man City 3-1 Man Utd - November 2002

City had been watching their rivals dominate English football while they were sinking as low as the third tier in the 1990s and it had been 16 games and 13 years since they had beaten United.

But, under Kevin Keegan, they finally stopped that rot at Maine Road after taking an early lead through Nicolas Anelka.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer levelled for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, but Shaun Goater’s double made it a memorable afternoon for City.

Man Utd vs Man City: How Erling Haaland and Marcus Rashford match up

11:01 , Luke Baker

Marcus Rashford and Erling Haaland will be in the Manchester derby spotlight today as the pair go head to head at Old Trafford.

Here we look at how the two strikers are shaping up as United host City in an eagerly-awaited Premier League clash:

How Erling Haaland and Marcus Rashford match up before Manchester derby

Manchester City stats

10:56 , Luke Baker

And a few stats about City as well

• Manchester City have won three successive Premier League away matches.

• City scored multiple goals in eight of their opening nine league fixtures this season, but have since done so in only three of their last eight games.

• Kevin de Bruyne has failed to score or assist in any of his last five Premier League appearances, his longest such run since a 10-match streak between December 2018 and March 2019.

• This is Pep Guardiola’s 500th top-flight match as a manager. His 76% win percentage is the best of any manager in Europe’s top five leagues to have taken charge of 100 or more games since Guardiola’s first season in 2008-09.

• Guardiola has won six competitive Manchester derbies at Old Trafford, twice as many as at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester United stats

10:51 , Luke Baker

A few relevant stats about United ahead of the derby

• Manchester United have earned an unsurpassed 35 points in the Premier League since beating Liverpool on 22 August.

• They can win five successive league games for the first time since April 2021. That run included a 2-0 victory at Manchester City.

• United have earned nine consecutive home victories in all competitions for the first time since December 2017. That streak was ended by a 2-1 Premier League defeat versus Manchester City.

• The Red Devils have lost four successive league games against City, by an aggregate score of 16-6. They have never suffered five successive defeats versus the title holders.

• Marcus Rashford has scored in all six Manchester United fixtures since the World Cup. However, Rashford hasn’t scored in any of his last five appearances against Manchester City, managing just one shot on target in total.

Head to head stats

10:46 , Luke Baker

A few stats and facts about the sides’ head to head record to get you started this morning

• Manchester City’s 6-3 Premier League win against Manchester United in October set a record for most goals in the Manchester derby.

• Man Utd have lost the last three league meetings between the sides. A fourth in a row would equal their Premier League record for defeats against the same opponent, set against Liverpool in 2002 and City in 2014.

• City have won nine of their past 14 visits to Old Trafford in all competitions, directly following a run of one victory in 32 attempts.

• United could go four successive home games without scoring against City for just the second time, and first since 1914.

‘It’s time to prove ourselves’: Pep Guardiola wants Manchester City derby statement

10:41 , Luke Baker

Pep Guardiola has urged his Manchester City players to prove their title credentials this weekend against a Manchester United side he considers genuine contenders for the crown.

The champions’ status as Premier League title favourites has been called into question after a number of frustrating results in recent outings.

City were held to a draw by struggling Everton a fortnight ago and Guardiola admitted his team fell way below the standard he expects as they were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Southampton in midweek.

City, second in the table, were also beaten by Brentford in their final match before the World Cup break in November.

By contrast, United have hit a rich vein of form and will head into Saturday’s derby showdown at Old Trafford fourth in the table and on the back of a run of eight successive wins in all competitions.

‘It’s time to prove ourselves’: Pep Guardiola wants Manchester City derby statement

Early team news

10:35 , Luke Baker

Manchester United full-back Diogo Dalot will miss the game after being forced off with a hamstring injury in the first half of the midweek win over Charlton in the Carabao Cup, while midfielder Donny van de Beek has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury and Axel Tuanzebe is also sidelined.

Anthony Martial suffered a small leg injury that has affected his ability to train this week and Erik ten Hag says he will be assessed ahead of the encounter.

Ruben Dias remains sidelined with a hamstring injury for Manchester City and fellow centre-back John Stones, who missed the Carabao Cup defeat at Southampton due to fitness concerns, has also been confirmed as out by Pep Guardiola.

Predicted line-ups

Manchester United XI: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial

Manchester City XI: Ederson; Walker, Laporte, Akanji, Ake; De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo; Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish

Latest odds

10:29 , Luke Baker

Here are the latest odds ahead of the match. Man City still favourites despite a couple of recent wobbles and perhaps there’s value in Man Utd at almost 3/1 at home, given the form they are in

Manchester United: 29/10

Draw: 29/10

Manchester City: 10/11

Odds via Betfair (subject to change).

Is Manchester United vs Manchester City on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Premier League fixture

10:19 , Luke Baker

Manchester United enter this afternoon’s derby full of confidence as they face Manchester City on a run of just one loss in the 18 matches since being humbled 6-3 by their rivals back in October.

That sole defeat was a 3-1 reverse to Aston Villa in early November and since the World Cup break, the Red Devils have won six games in all competitions - most recently a hard-fought 3-0 win over plucky League One side Charlton in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

Marcus Rashford came off the bench to score twice in that victory, taking his goal tally to a remarkable seven in six games since returning from Qatar to confirm himself as perhaps the most in-form attacker in Europe on current form.

If United can get revenge for October’s heavy defeat, they will record a ninth successive victory in all competitions - equalling their longest winning streak since Sir Alex Ferguson retired as manager.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the Manchester derby:

Man Utd vs Man City channel. Kick-off time and how to watch Premier League fixture

Manchester United vs Manchester City

10:18 , Luke Baker

Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Manchester United vs Manchester City.

The city rivals meet at Old Trafford for the 189th Manchester derby this afternoon with both teams desperate for points to move closer to realising their Premier League ambitions.

City are in an intense battle for the title with Arsenal, currently trailing the Londoners by five points meaning they can scarcely afford to slip up, while United are competing with the likes of Newcastle, Tottenham and Liverpool for a top-four spot. Having said that, if the Red Devils do get revenge for the 6-3 humbling they suffered at the hands of their city rivals back in October, they will move just a point behind Pep Guardiola’s men and can perhaps begin to dream of a title charge.

Stick with us for all the action.