Angel Di Maria skips away from a man nicely but he is stopped in his tracks by Martin Demichelis. Both sides feeling each other out at the moment, two prizefighters circling the ring. Nobody landing the first blow yet.

Image source, Reuters

Jesus Navas beats Luke Shaw far, far too easily - the youngster flunks his first test - but the City winger's cross is poor. Navas hugging one touchline in blue, James Milner starting wide on the left.

Former Manchester City winger Trevor Sinclair
BBC Radio 5 live at Old Trafford

"Aleksandar Kolarov is one of the most underrated players in the Premier League but Gael Clichy looks relaxed. I'm sure he won't be ruffled by an occasion like this. And there is no better occasion.

"For the Manchester City of yesteryear this was always the biggest fixture. I'm not sure that is the case any more with the number of important matches City have now. This is probably more important for United this year as they are out of Champions League football, but bragging rights are up for grabs and I am sure both sets of players will be up for it."

Aleksandar Kolarov is sitting in the dugout with an ice pack on his calf, looking thoroughly cheesed off. Robin Van Persie is then caught offside as United continue their bright start.

Manchester United get the ball rolling, with Angel Di Maria wide on the left and Wayne Rooney in the hole behind Robin Van Persie. Attacking options everywhere you look today.

Marcos Rojo has a header saved by Joe Hart inside a minute! But he was offside. As you were.

What do you think the result will be in the Manchester derby?

Vote on this page or tweet #bbccity #bbcutd or #bbcdraw to @bbcsport., external

The vote will close at half-time and terms and conditions are available here.

Game on at the Etihad...

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty at Etihad Stadium

"A banner has been unfurled by Manchester City fans reading "You Aspire To Be MCFC" - a reference to a remark made by former Manchester United manager David Moyes after City's convincing 3-0 derby win at Old Trafford last season."

You can vote on the outcome of today's game on the right-hand side of the page, or in the voting tab on mobiles. Nothing between the sides so far...

Here are a selection of your predictions for today's game.

Myles Mckay:, external 3-1 United. City have just lost to West Ham, Newcastle and drew 2-2 with CSKA Moscow.

Ocian J Murray:, external 3-1 to City. The only thing United have better than Man City is attack but they're missing Falcao and their midfield isn't complete. I don't see Adnan Januzaj, Daley Blind and Marouane Fellaini matching Fernando, Yaya Toure etc. The defence is gonna be walked through by Man City with ease, but United may struggle to get passed City's defence. City's defence is of a higher class than United's.

Dean Cox:, external United can't defend but they are getting better in attack with every game. City 3-2 United.

The teams are out, hands are shaken. Again. Is this the new friendly derby?

Not in the stands. Whistles greet the United line-up. Let's get this on!

A very late change in the City side then as Gael Clichy replaces Aleksandar Kolarov, who was injured in the warm-up.

That should not happen, surely?!

Anyway, here are the sides. Vincent Kompany offers Belgian counterparts Marouane Fellaini and Adnan Januzaj a friendly welcome. The civility ends here...

I'll settle for eight this afternoon Patrick, I really will.

Less than 10 minutes to go now - get that kettle on one final time...

Football writer Patrick Barclay
BBC Radio 5 live

"The Manchester United line-up is incredibly adventurous, it cannot be anything other than that if Antonio Valencia is going to play at right-back - that tells you enough.

"In a way it is surprising but United's only defensive tactic at the moment does seem to be to attack. They restricted Chelsea to very few chances by just attacking and keeping them occupied. I don't know how this game can go wrong. Before I saw the teams I said I thought there could be four goals in it, but now I'd say there could be at least eight."

Footballing royalty in the stands as Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Alex Ferguson take their seats high above the pitch. Will the men in red be celebrating come tea-time?

Image source, Getty Images

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

"Some concern over Aleksandar Kolarov - who was limping after the warm-up."

City do have Gael Clichy on the bench.

Former Wales international Robbie Savage
BBC Sport

"Manchester City's struggles this season already remind me of what happened under Roberto Mancini after he won the Premier League in 2012. They failed to improve their squad, flopped in Europe and ended up finishing a distant second in the title race.

"This time around, their early-season form has not been disastrous, just not very good. Their defensive problems are obvious and, on the face of it, most worrying.

"But it is a mystery why they have failed to find the electric attacking form from last campaign that saw them become the quickest team to score 100 goals in a season in the Premier League era."

You can read more from Robbie's BBC Sport column here.

Manchester City, or United, would take winning an ugly championship this season. It could all start now - the sides have left the pitch now and are back in the dressing room. Last-minute pep talks ahoy...

Mwangikiara:, external That Manchester United midfield. Oh my. Just prime for a blitz by the Manchester City machine.

Howard Horner:, external With United's defence and the movement of Sergio Aguero, I would be amazed if there isn't at least one penalty in this game.

Saqiul Hoque:, external Looking at City's line-up I see physical strength everywhere. I hope United don't lose the physical battle in this one.

Former England captain Alan Shearer
Match of the Day

"They got the job done, Chelsea, on Saturday. They didn't play well at all, but what impressed me is that they do the ugly side very effectively. They win it back quickly when they lose possession. That will win you championships. It meant QPR couldn't hurt them when they had the ball. Chelsea were doing that in the first minute and the last minute.

"It was one hell of a finish from Oscar. Martin Keown and I were clapping when we saw it. I might have tried that in training, but never in a match."