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Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal believes his team can capitalise on Manchester City's recent dip in form this afternoon.

City squandered a two-goal lead in the Champions League at CSKA Moscow on 21 October and then lost at West Ham and to Newcastle.

"What we have seen in the last matches was not so good," Van Gaal said.

"We have a good feeling about this match. We need a good result and it could be against Man City."

Since losing 5-3 in a remarkable match at Leicester on 21 September, Van Gaal's United are unbeaten and would move within a point of their local rivals with victory today.

The two Manchester clubs have arguably never had it so good. A galaxy of stars reside in the Cheshire suburbs and the plush city apartments - but what is the best XI available?

There are so many attacking options that someone's going to have to miss out, but here's my effort:

De Gea; Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Kolarov; Toure, Blind; Di Maria, Silva, Rooney; Aguero.

Who wouldn't want a bench of Edin Dzeko, Robin van Persie, Radamel Falcao, Juan Mata...I could go on.

I'm sure you can do better. So prove it.

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You can also text us on 81111 in the UK only - don't forget to say who you are and where you are texting from.

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A win for Manuel Pellegrini's side this afternoon cuts the gap to leaders Chelsea to six points. Achievable? Certainly.

A defeat, however, and a nine-point deficit to Jose Mourinho's unbeaten outfit would begin to look increasingly formidable.

Will Jose Mourinho be enjoying his Sunday roast even more this afternoon? Pass the gravy...

Manchester derby day. A special day in any Premier League season.

When the fixtures were announced in June thousands of red and blue marker pens were circling this weekend. The first game you look for?

For a whole generation of City fans, derby day was everything. Under Sir Alex Ferguson United may have won the league with remarkable regularity but a derby win would make it all worthwhile for those of a blue persuasion.

But not any more. City are champions, and if they retain desires of keeping hold of that trophy then a win today is doubly important.

For United fans, a win today and their own title hopes could be back on...

When Blue meets Red. A City divided.

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Time for two tribes to stand up and be counted. For the Gallaghers, the Whitleys, the Nevilles and the Da Silvas.

For Curly Watts. For Eamonn Holmes. For Mick Hucknall. For Ricky Hatton.

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For Giggsy, Scholes, Kinky and the Goat. For Cantona, Summerbee, Bell and Best.

For Sir Alex, Sir Matt, Mancini and Mercer.

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For the Poznan, the Kippax, the Stretford End and Ole Solskjaer.

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For bragging rights, for the title. For the fans.