Ruud Gullit

Image source, Getty Images

They are trying to find a solution all the time to fit Wayne Rooney in. Mourinho has already said he won't play him in midfield. He is a striker, if he doesn't score then Mourinho will find another solution.

And that is exactly right. Rooney needs to play with experience, not energy. He can run less and be more effective.

I had the same thing with Mark Hughes at Chelsea. He was running around into the corners at 32, 33 years old. I told him to stay in the width of the penalty area. He will score goals. 

Let the young ones run!

And the fans are there too...

Image source, Reuters

The United players have just arrived at Old Trafford. Zlatan carried his own suitcase. See, the nicest guy in the world.

We managed to get a few words from captain Wayne Rooney: "Over the last few years the derby has been more competitive, with City being our rivals for the title.

"It's a massive game for the city and a nice game to win.

"There are three points at stake. This game will not decide the title. We know City will come with their gameplan but we have to stick to ours."

Jermaine Jenas
Former England midfielder and BBC football expert

Image source, Reuters

Celtic are the obvious favourites but you expect unforeseeable things to happen in derbies.

There is often a red card or a mistake which can turn this game. I all of a sudden want to watch Scottish football again. Rangers will claw that gap back again, just give it time.

Players are heading to Scotland again. Joey Barton could have played in the Premier League again this season but he decided to go to Rangers. 

Image source, Getty Images

Join the discussion via #bbcfootball on social media,, external the BBC Sport Facebook page, external or by texting 81111 (UK only).

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This Manchester derby isn't even the biggest rivalry of the day. And I'm not talking about Oxford v Swindon in League One either.

Celtic and Rangers come head to head for the first Old Firm derby in the league for four years.

There will be live text and radio commentary of that game on the BBC Sport website. In fact, the live text has just started. You can find it here.

Plenty of reading material for you if that's your bag.

• A look at Joey Barton v Scott Brown
• Which decisions do the managers have to make?
• Brendan Rodgers' thoughts on the game
• Guess the score using our Scottish Premiership Predictor
• Choose your joint starting XI

And more video than you can shake a stick at.

Ruud Gullit

Image source, Reuters

Jose Mourinho knows his best XI. He will sit tight, make sure that the team are compact and then get the ball forwards as quickly as possible.

The English press wants Marcus Rashford in. He is a rough diamond, he has no fear, no responsibility yet. Mourinho will bring him slowly, slowly in. He needs players with experience in the derby. He knows what to do.

For Pep, he is still searching for his best team. Will he play without a striker without Sergio Aguero? Kevin de Bruyne as a false nine? He likes a lot of midfielders to control the game.

Jermaine Jenas
Former England midfielder and BBC football expert

Image source, PA

You can sense in Zlatan's voice that his time in Barcelona annoyed him. From the outside you think that Zlatan is arogant so it is interesting to hear from ex-managers and players, you will only hear good things about him.

Especially how good he is in the changing room, with younger players. He brings a presence which you can hardly account for. To look to one side and see Zlatan standing there, it gives you a surge of confidence. 

Image source, Twitter

Daniel George: No regrets! #bbcfootball, external

Shola Ameobi netted seven times in 16 derbies for Newcastle against local rivals Sunderland. ‘The Mackem Slayer’, the big man was known as.

Shola loved a derby day.

Today, Danny Baker wants to know about your bizarre behaviour caused by nervousness/anxiety about a big game.

Tweet them using #bbcfootball or text using 81111 (UK only, please let us know your name) and we'll print the best ones here.

You might want to watch Football Focus today...

United manager Jose Mourinho says it will be "more difficult" facing a City side that does not include suspended striker Sergio Aguero.

"He doesn't play and they have amazing options," said Mourinho.

"It is more difficult. When Sergio Aguero is available he plays, we know their formation."

Mourinho suggested any one of Kelechi Iheanacho, Raheem Sterling or David Silva could start as a "false nine".

Jermaine Jenas
Former England midfielder and BBC football expert

Image source, Reuters

Surely it is not easier to play against a team with Sergio Aguero in it? Jose Mourinho says it is harder this week without him. But that can't be right!

I'd be surprised if Pep Guardiola doesn't play Kelechi Iheanacho. Pep likes to control the tempo of the game but you need to score goals. What strikers automatically give you is an instinct to score. Without a forward you can be drawn into pass-pass-pass-pass for the sake of it. 

Image source, Getty Images

While United will have the "nicest guy in the world" up front, City's own leading man will be absent from their attack. Sergio Aguero is out - banned for three games after being found guilty of sticking an elbow on West Ham's Winston Reid.

Aguero has scored three goals in three league games this season for City, who are top of the table with a 100% record.

He also scored a hat-trick in the first leg of their 5-0 Champions League qualifier against Steaua Bucharest.

Kelechi, you're up.

Ruud Gullit

Image source, Reuters

I know Zlatan from his time in Ajax, he is a wonderful guy. He is convinced in himself and he has won wherever he has gone. An exceptional player. He belongs with Ronaldo and Messi.

His record is amazing. He has won the league every year. I like him, I like his personality. He does everything to win, he gets angry, he makes sure that the team benefits from his input.

It is not arrogance, it is just his way. He is aware of the fact that he has the presence whenever he walks in a room. You know it is Zlatan. He is the nicest guy you will ever meet.

He had a goal in his life and he took it with both hands.

Liam Nield: Left work at 2:45am, came home to find a tipsy roommate offering to stay up for the match with me. It's derby day in Boone, North Carolina.

AEssof: Will be on a flight home from Germany whilst the derby is on. Don't suppose Ryanair will be showing the game?

Maarten Mertens: In Antwerp. Will be watching my Blues with a friend, who is a United fan. Respect him anyhow. Might accept a glass of wine after the game..!

Join the discussion via #bbcfootball on social media,, external the BBC Sport Facebook page, external or by texting 81111 (UK only).

Image source, Reuters

Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic: "I expect a fantastic atmosphere and a good game. Two good quality teams who are playing for the title. 

"Who doesn't like to play in big games? It is a fantastic feeling but you prepare in the same way. Every game is like a final, I need to win every game.

"You see the guy who lifts the trophy at the end of the season. You don't remember a single game, you remember the title.

"In every country I played in, I came, I won. 

"The team has done good so far, but we can do much mroe. We are in the beginning. From here we will become much better. Then even better than that. You make the puzzle come together.

"I know what Jose wants, he demands. He is the winner, that is what he demands. We won when we were young, we will win now we are older."

Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic talks about his relationship with "winner" Jose Mourinho and praises his manager's direct leadership style. 

Watch the full interview on Football Focus, 12:00 BST, BBC One.

Old Trafford is not a small ground. As a result there will be plenty of you heading there to watch today's big game. Why not send us photos of you travelling to the ground. Feel free to jazz it up. You know, so it's not just you walking. In a football shirt. 

You can contact us on Twitter, using the hashtag #bbcfootball, or via text (81111, UK only). 

(Actually, even if you're just sat at home in your United/City pants, we can't stop you sending photos).

BBC Radio Manchester Sport

The latest in BBC Radio Manchester's animated series in imagining how Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho's conversations go.

Watch some of the most famous moments from the Manchester derby during the Premier League era.