Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Fair to say the Old Trafford pitch announcer's welcome to "the home of the greatest club in the world" was not exactly well-received by the travelling Manchester City fans. In his defence he was not picking on them or goading - he says it before every game. 

Liz, we can't condone smoking. Or leaving Manchester. Come on now. 

Liz Tray: I hate derby day and want it to be over. At home, not so bad. Away, doom is impending. Glad I left Manchester. Wish I still smoke. 

Shohaib Shah: Before every United game I behave good at school and at home so I have good luck for the game the next day. If United win, I can go to school with my head held high and my friends won't bother me that we just beat a world class team.

Harry Carney: Pre match rituals for Manchester derby? Praying to a shrine of Sir Alex hoping he will give van Gaal a tactical epiphany.

Manchester United may have scored three goals in four of their last five Premier League matches, but former England international Jermaine Jenas is not a fan of their style of play.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 live, Jenas said: "Sometimes when I watch them everyone looks rigid and does not seem free on the pitch.

“Only Juan Mata makes things happen. I haven’t seen anything from Memphis, Wayne Rooney is not in form and Anthony Martial made a great start but has plateaued. It seems a bit too boring.

“I would always play Michael Carrick and Morgan Schneiderlin. United are desperate for someone like Schneiderlin to always play. I watched them against Arsenal and I’ve never seen such an immobile midfield."

Image source, Getty Images

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Manchester City may be missing the world-class marksmanship of striker Sergio Aguero but things look better at the back with the return of captain Vincent Kompany after a calf injury.

Never any need for motivation ahead of a Manchester derby but there is a chance for both sides to make a big statement today. City will leapfrog Arsenal and go top if they win - and Louis van Gaal's side will be able to talk up their own credentials with victory that would take them above City.

Van Gaal has labelled City as favourites but not sure his Manchester City counterpart Manuel Pellegrini will be falling for that one.

Big fan of this! How did the ritual start?

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says Manchester City are the favourites, despite the match taking place at Old Trafford.

City have won six of the last eight derbies, dating back to 2011's 6-1 win.

Van Gaal feels the Blues' status as Premier League leaders means they should be regarded as favourites to extend their run of derby success.

Speaking on Friday he said: "They are first. We are third. There's a goal difference. A points difference. They are the favourite."

Image source, Getty Images

A ripple of polite applause as Wayne Rooney leads the United playesr out for their warm-up. Possibly the last polite action of the day.

Rooney has scored 11 goals in Manchester derbies (all competitions); more than any other player in this fixture.

Rooney was 30 years old on Saturday – no player has scored as many Premier League goals as he has by the age of 30 (187).

But he is not in good touch in front of goal this season, adding just two Premier League goals to his tally so far...

Aston Villa

If you missed this morning's breaking news, Aston Villa have sacked manager Tim Sherwood after eight months in charge, with the club 19th in the Premier League table.

The move follows a 2-1 defeat by Swansea on Saturday - Villa's sixth straight loss in the league.

The club said in a statement: "The board believes the results on the pitch were simply not good enough and that a change is imperative."

Under-21 manager Kevin MacDonald has been placed in interim charge.

Surely. surely, we all can agree on this notice this afternoon...?

All you need to know about the Manchester derby is that there were scores - loads - of people outside Old Trafford at 9:30 this morning.

Quite what they were going to do with themselves for the next four or five hours is beyond me but there you go. Lie-ins are for losers on derby day...

Image source, PA

Guy Mowbray
BBC Match of the Day commentator

"Things sure ain't what they used to be.

"For worse - look at the line-ups. Not a local lad to be seen.

"For better - look at the line-ups. This is a 'super-derby' that the whole world can engage with.

"I'm tempted to make City favourites - but with Aguero and Silva out it draws them back a bit, even with De Bruyne doing the business his fee demanded.

"I'm tempted to make United favourites - but you don't know what you'll get from them game to game."

Image source, .

Eyebrows were raised when Manchester United paid £36m for a largely unknown French teenager called Anthony Martial on transfer deadline day.

He has since scored five goals for his new club - and on Sunday will play in his first Manchester derby when United host City at Old Trafford.

But none of this has come as a surprise to the two coaches who nurtured Martial during his formative years.

Read about his rise here.

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Fancy yourself as a bit of a mystic meg? Prove it then by predicting the scores for today's game.

See how your guesses fare against other supporters and pundit Mark Lawrenson, plus get feedback from BBC Sport's team including Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer.  

Fancy your chances? Click here to play.

A chance for followers of both Manchester clubs to engage across our bows.

Riddle me this: What does derby day mean to you?  Any special rituals you go with? Any work/school/family clashes you are dreading on Monday?

Let us know. Text us on 81111 (UK Only) as long as you include your name, while you can tweet us at #bbcfootball.

Image source, Getty Images

Today will surely be a good game for the neutral . Right?

None of the last 12 Manchester derbies in all competitions have ended as a draw (five United wins, seven City wins).

The last 10 Manchester derbies in all competitions have seen 41 goals scored (4.1 goals per game).

So a four-goal thriller. Basically guaranteed...

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Manchester United's double midfield pivot does our graphics absolutely no favours whatsoever.

Image source, .

While Manchester City's midfielders are sporting their full Brazilian names here - for Luiz Rosa and Reges read Fernandinho and Fernando.

Yaya Toure is expected to fill the number 10 role today. Still no David Silva, not even on the bench.