Former England captain Alan Shearer
Match of the Day

"I wasn't impressed with Liverpool. Their big problem last year was defensive, not scoring goals. I understand Daniel Sturridge is out, but defensively they are worse this year than last year. They didn't create anything in midfield and they certainly didn't look like scoring.

"And there were far too many mistakes from Liverpool players. I haven't got a clue what Alberto Moreno is doing for Newcastle's goal. I'm not sure he knows where he is. He has to get it away. He doesn't have time to take a touch in the box. He doesn't know who is around him.

"There was an incident in the second half where Dejan Lovren, the centre-half, pulled out of a challenge on the halfway line. That suggests something is wrong."

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown
Match of the Day

"Where would Arsenal be without Alexis Sanchez? Probably halfway down the table. He's a little man but he's a big man. Every time I watch him play he excites me. He really is a crowd pleaser, and he's so tenacious. He really goes at people when he gets the chance, and that gets the crowd on their feet. He's been a revelation for Arsenal.

"I think Sanchez is more important to Arsenal than Eden Hazard is to Chelsea. You could take Hazard out of the Chelsea team and they could still manage. I'm not so sure about Arsenal without Sanchez."

Before we start humming Blue Moon or joining in with John Copper Clarke's United Road, let's have a quick round-up of yesterday's action in the Premier League.

Chelsea didn't play well but won, Liverpool played very badly and lost. Arsenal struggled until Alexis Sanchez hit form, Southampton scored a wonder goal and are second, and Esteban Cambiasso scored an unlucky own goal.

West Ham came from 2-0 down to draw at Stoke and ruined Mark Hughes' birthday.

Catch up with all of the best reaction here.

We've been asking you to send in your selections for a best XI from the Manchester City and Manchester United squads.

Bobby Shearer:, external De Gea, Kompany, Jones, Demichelis, Zabaleta, Blind, Toure, Di Maria, Silva, Aguero, Falcao.

Image source, Getty Images

Joshua Legg:, external De Gea, Zabaleta, Kompany, Demechelis, Kolarov, Blind, Toure, Silva, Aguero, Di Maria, Falcao.

Dan Brewer:, external I wouldn't have Wayne Rooney on the bench! Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Kolarov, Di Maria, Toure, Blind, Silva, Aguero, van Persie.

BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, PA

"When I was five I went down the Warwick Road - now I'm addicted to the only place I know..."

Ahead of the Manchester derby between Manchester City and Manchester United, John Cooper Clarke has given his unique take on an Old Trafford chant.

The Salford punk poet, and United supporter, recites Take Me Home United Road on 5 live. Superb delivery...

Is David De Gea the best goalkeeper Manchester United have had since Peter Schmeichel? He has been in great form of late.

Less than two hours from kick-off now, we should have confirmed team news at 12:30. Who are we expecting in?

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel
Football Focus

"When I first joined Manchester United matches against teams like Liverpool and Leeds were the biggest games and I didn't understand. Obviously Manchester City were not in direct competition with United at the time but those games were still viewed as a must win. But now City are champions, and they are maybe a bigger club than United in terms of results, so the significance has greatly changed. Today it is a proper derby, a game that will attract attention from all over the world.

Image source, Getty Images

"It is a tricky one for United because of their inconsistency. The Leicester game is perhaps the best example. To go 3-1 ahead and end up losing 5-3, that is not the way United want to be. We don't know what we are going to get on Sunday. I have absolutely no idea."

Speaking of imposing goalkeepers...

Image source, Manchester City

Manchester City and England goalkeeper Joe Hart warmed up for the derby this week by taking to the nets with England and Lancashire wicketkeeper Jos Buttler.

Hart reveals that City team-mate James Milner is also a cricket nut, and tells how the England camp played indoor cricket to while away the hours during the summer's World Cup.

The City number one had one scare when this booming straight drive hit a bystander on the arm - but she was uninjured. Great connection from the big lad though, he could certainly do some damage down the order.

Watch the full video with Hart on Manchester City's YouTube channel., external

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince
Football Focus

"Manchester City are without David Silva, and I think he is one of the best players in the world at the moment. The link he has with Sergio Aguero is outstanding and is pivotal to everything City do. Without him, and with Wayne Rooney coming back, Manchester United will feel they have a great chance."

Over on the Match of the Day Facebook page, we've been asking you: What are the key issues that will decide today's Manchester derby?

David Welsh:, external Whether or not Manchester City can raise their intensity unlike the last couple of games where they have been lacklustre in their performances against West Ham and Newcastle. Due to the absence of David Silva I think Yaya Toure is the key player and it comes down to whether or not he can raise his game as he has been looking lackadaisical in recent matches.

Matthew Langstaff:, external The quality of finishing! Chances will be created at both ends due to the poor defending. Both teams have to take their chances to win.

Robert Porter:, external I'd say Manchester United's defence. They need to show stability and resolve against a great attacking side. I'm a United fan but I have to say, I'm a little bit disappointed we didn't make anymore defensive signings in the summer. It's clear that even with our attacking prowess we will struggle to outscore teams.

David Silva is a must for your combined XIs, surely. What a player - his loss to injury is a huge blow for City this afternoon. Samir Nasri is back though and could start this afternoon.

Ex-Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen: "There is something lacklustre about the City team which I can't put my finger on. David Silva not playing on Sunday is a big blow because he is the man who really links them and gives them momentum."

All apologies to fans of Tottenham and Aston Villa but today's late game at Villa Park is very much playing the supporting role.

Villa have lost five consecutive top-flight games without scoring while Spurs have made their worst start to a Premier League campaign since 2008.

The only way is up!

Centre-half is a problem position in that all-star selection isn't it? Vincent Kompany +1...

Image source, Getty Images

We've been asking you to send in your selections for a best XI from the Manchester City and Manchester United squads.

Michael:, external Martin Demichelis? (see 11:13) Clearly it's De Gea; Zabaleta, Kompany, Jones, Clichy; Toure, Fernando; Di Maria, Silva, Falcao; Aguero.

Paul Moore:, external Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, anyone but Mangala, Clichy, Nasri, Silva, Di Maria, Falcao, Rooney, Aguero.

Shaun Thorpe:, external De Gea, Zabelata, Kompany, Jones, Shaw, Blind, Toure, Silva, Di Maria, Mata, Aguero. Wayne Rooney belongs nowhere near that team.

A year ago, Manchester City were seventh in the table, with 16 points from nine games.

They went on to seal their second title in three seasons, scoring 102 goals on the way to become only the second Premier League team to reach three figures after Chelsea in 2009-10.

With this season's form mirroring last term's at the same stage, Manuel Pellegrini sees no reason to feel under pressure.

"I think it is very difficult to analyse the season when it is just in October, when you have just played nine Premier League games and you don't know whether or not you are going to qualify in the Champions League," the Chilean said.

Fair comment? Or are there worrying signs for City fans?

BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty at Etihad Stadium

"They are raising the roof - literally -at The Etihad as part of Manchester City's stadium expansion plans that will eventually increase the capacity to more than 55,000.

"There would have been no problem selling that amount of seats today for the first Manchester derby of the season - and the first for Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal.

"City have won five of the last six derbies in the Premier League but United will be looking to exploit the reigning champions' current fallability which has seen them lose to both West Ham United and Newcastle United this week. Should they do this it would be the first time City have lost back-to-back Premier League matches under Manuel Pellegrini."

You get the feeling that the burden of being champions doesn't sit so well with Manchester City.

After their last-gasp title win in 2012 City were off the boil the following season, as United won the league by an incredible 11 points.

Last season City roared back to win the league again but so far it's been a pretty underwhelming start to their defence.

Not a disaster - two defeats in nine league games - but City have looked a long way short of their best. Is today the kickstart they need?

Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler
Football Focus

"I think it's a bad time for Manchester United to play Manchester City. They're a wounded animal; they've not been great the past two or three games but the pressure is on United for me.

"United's form of late has been better, people think they can get a result, but City look like they can strike back. City's players will be thinking they can't let Chelsea get too far away from them and know they need a result. United haven't won at the Etihad Stadium for the past few years. For me the pressure is on them."