The 151st Manchester derby in the top-flight is under way.

The 183rd overall.

Manchester United

Image source, BBC Sport

Some major highs and lows already this season for Man Utd, but will the Ole-Coaster be on the up at full-time, or will it be another big dipper?

Kick-off is just a couple of minutes away.

Guy Mowbray
Match of the Day commentator

The league table doesn't lie, but it might not tell the full story.

United start the derby above City and could be in the top four with a game in hand by next week. Not bad for a team that's making hard work of too many games this season and has just spectacularly crashed out of the Champions League.

They've come from behind in five of their six Premier League wins. Maybe the stress helps them to switch on and perform? Whatever. It's not sustainable.

By contrast, City look to have put early-season stresses and errors behind them.

They're currently on a run of five clean sheets in a row and have only conceded in two of their past 10 matches. Perhaps tellingly they were the biggest two, against Spurs and Liverpool.

It's the 183rd Manchester derby, and hopefully the only one that will ever be played without fans. If United go behind again, the relative quiet might briefly be a blessing for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

BBC World Service

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Raimond van der Gouw speaking to Sportsworld: "Everyone knows it’s a big game against Manchester City and with Manchester United losing in the Champions League, it’s big that’s for sure. I think you have to think positive. Look at the table – United are seventh with 19 points, if they win they have 22 and then they are fourth and that’s not bad.

"You want to be at the top and it’s really hard at the moment so if you look at where Man United is coming from, they’re not so bad. You have big games like this and if you play at home you have to win."

Manchester City

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola: "Sergio Aguero is ready, he is ready but had gastroenteritis. Step by step. Other guys in this moment they are sharper than him. he was out four-five months but last week he did every training session and the recation on his body and knees after Marseille was good."

Alex Seftel: Hold on a second... Despite all the criticism surrounding Man United, they actually have more points than Man City, and both have played 10 games. Predicting 1-1 today.

Manchester City

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City have won seven Premier League away games at Old Trafford, more than any other visiting side.

Martin Keown
Former Arsenal defender on Final Score

Manchester United only get motivated if they go behind in a game, what is that all about? Manchester United of old take the game to you.

Manchester United

United might also lose at least four of their opening six home league fixtures for just the second time, having suffered five defeats in 1930-31.

Leon Osman
Former Everton midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

I look at Man United and I try to understand what it takes to make them play well. It seems to be the thought that they don't have to worry what's behind them. Let's just go and attack let's put the opposition on the back foot and get everyone forward and they are very impressive when they get to that point.

But in the first halves they always seem like they're protecting something that they haven't got. They're playing rigid, as if they're nervous about giving the 0-0 scoreline away and as a manager I would be saying don't worry about what's behind you go and express yourself - go forward, make runs without the ball. Because as you've seen when they are in the mode where they're chasing a game they're very impressive.

Relive the action from some of the greatest Manchester derby moments from recent years, including City's 6-1 win and Wayne Rooney's classic bicycle kick.

Your favourite Manchester derby moment?

Joe Baker: Actually like this #Pogba, external selection. Off the back of his agent's deliberately controversial comments it's a good 'go on then, show us how good you and your agent think you are' in a huge game. Goes well, his £ increases, goes badly it proves #Ole, external right

Ken Duggan: Utd have been a shambles this season. I can only see a city win today

Francesca Gunn: I’m not even surprised anymore that Ole won’t pick Donny over Scott even though Scott has been rubbish for the last few games. I’m more surprised he is shoving an overweight just came off the injury list Shaw over Telles! Why did we buy him and Donny!

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Old Trafford

Old Trafford's PA is blasting out a lovely selection of festive tunes but there is something even more surreal about this occasion than usual as we await the Manchester derby in front of this vast empty stadium with the area is in Tier 3 lockdown.

Manchester United and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will see this as the perfect platform to recover their Champions League exit while Manchester City will want to build on their excellent form at the expense of their arch-rivals.

Manchester United

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on starting Paul Pogba: “There is no point talking off the pitch, you have to talk on the pitch as a footballer and that is where the proof is.

"You cannot stop good players from playing well. Paul has been focused on his football."

Hah, thanks Neil, who ISN'T excited about this one!

'Know Your Worth' by Khalid & Disclosure has just been pumping over the speakers at Old Trafford.

The lyrics include: "gotta keep, gotta keep, gotta keep your head up. Who puts you first? Find someone who loves you at your worst."

Any player starting today who fits those words quite well...?

Right, it's time for build-up to the Manchester derby and it's Shamoon Hafez who is going to guide you through this. He's been excited for this one all week. Take it away Sham.

Newcastle win in their first game for 15 days.

Time for one last West Brom attack? They have the ball deep inside Newcastle's half but concede a free-kick. That sums up their frustrating afternoon.

Our friends at Opta are telling us Dwight Gayle is the first substitute to score for Newcastle in the Premier League since July while 57% of Newcastle's league goals this season have come in the last 15 minutes - a divisional-high.

Corner to West Brom. The visitors want to take it quickly but Ciaran Clark is in no hurry to release the ball.