This match now looks less like a show of Manchester City's resources than a test of their adaptability when circumstances are against them. In theory, the suspension of Emmanuel Adebayor and injuries to other attackers will limit their capacity to take the game to United. The derby still has an enhanced status not only because of the sums lavished on the visitors and the fact that Sir Alex Ferguson has disparaged them, but also because City are level with United on points despite having played one game fewer. Kevin McCarra

Venue Old Trafford

Tickets Sold out

Last season Man United 2 Man City 0

Referee M Atkinson

This season's matches 3 Y14, R0, 4.67 cards per game

sportingbet odds Man Utd 4-7 Man City 17-4 Draw 13-5

Manchester United

Subs from Kuszczak, Evans, Anderson, Neville, Gibson, Welbeck, Macheda, Fabio, Valencia, Tosic, Owen

Doubtful Ferdinand (calf)

Injured Oberton (calf, Oct), Rafael (shoulder, Oct), Van der Sar (finger, Oct), Hargreaves (knee, Nov)

Suspended Scholes (one match)

Form guide WWWLW

Disciplinary record Y9 R1

Leading scorer Rooney 5

Manchester City

Subs from Taylor, Tevez, Onuoha, Petrov, Sylvinho, Benjani, Weiss, Garrido, Mentel, Vidal

Doubtful Tevez (knee), Ireland (ankle)

Injured Robinho (ankle, Oct), Johnson (groin, Oct), Kompany (foot, Oct), Santa Cruz (knee, Oct)

Suspended Adebayor (three matches)

Form guide WWWW

Disciplinary record Y5 R0

Leading scorer Adebayor 5

Match pointers

• The last three seasons have seen one side perform the double on the other – United in 2006-07 and 2008-09 and City in 2007-08

• Manchester City have been winning 1-0 at half-time in all four of their league games this season

• Wayne Rooney has been caught offside more times (13) than any other player

• A defeat at Old Trafford would be City's 200th in the Premier League

• The visitors were the last team to beat United in a Sunday Premier League fixture – on 10 February 2008