More boos as United look to fashion something down the right. They are quickly closed down and robbed of the ball, though.

Looks like it is indeed Bruno Fernandes playing that false nine role.

It's a false nine-off of sorts here, with Phil Foden doing the role for City at the other end.

Immediate boos for Manchester United and Harry Maguire especially as the centre-back receives the kick-off and hammers a long pass away.

A minute's applause in solidarity with Ukraine provides some pre-match perspective.

And the 187th Manchester derby is under way. It's a big one for these sides. Strap in.

Image source, BBC Sport

Lawro's prediction: 2-1

This is probably City's most important game of the season.

We saw what Tottenham did to them on the counter-attack at Etihad Stadium a couple of weeks ago, and United have the players to carry out a similar gameplan.

I'm still not entirely convinced by United under Ralf Rangnick but they do always create chances - they were held by Watford last week, but they had enough opportunities to win three games.

So, I think United will score - but then they have to keep City out. I don't see that happening.

Johnny's prediction: I think we're going to tonk them! I don't think their knack of spoiling it for us at home is going to go on forever and if we are wide awake and it all comes together, I just don't see why we can only beat them at Old Trafford. We've just got to pretend that we want to take them apart in front of their own fans again! 4-0

Find out how Lawro and Johnny Marr think the rest of the weekend's fixtures will go

Peter Schmeichel
Former Manchester United goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

Liverpool winning yesterday has just opened up the race for the title a little bit more, and of course, Manchester United need to get back on track.

Man Utd are at least not losing games, and having not lost here since 2018, it's a great game for them to have.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Etihad Stadium

Real sense of anticipation at Etihad Stadium ahead of a Manchester derby that means so much to both sides.

Ukraine international Oleksandr Zinchenko received a very warm ovation when he came out to warm up and we're almost ready to go.

For the final time this weekend, the Premier League stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

Both sides come out in t-shirts showing their support for Ukraine and their rejection of war.

The Football News Show asks if Ralf Rangnick's time at Manchester United will be defined by their next run of fixtures, starting with the derby at Manchester City on Sunday.

Taking on Mark Lawrenson in this week's Premier League predictions is legendary guitarist Johnny Marr, a lifelong City fan.

Marr first had success with Manchester band The Smiths in the 1980s and is now a solo star. His new double album, Fever Dreams Pts 1-4, was released at the end of February and he is touring the UK with Blondie in April and May.

"I tend to look forward to derbies these days," Marr told BBC Sport. "Like all City fans, I've seen how our home fixtures against United have gone recently, but I would say that is more annoying than a worry.

"I have no idea why they have been beating us, although I think the science of it would suggest that they play as well as they can when they come to our place, because they tend to be a bit more motivated than usual.

"Their gameplan of sitting deep and hitting us on the break has worked in the past and unfortunately the threat of doing that is still there - it probably always will be, for anyone who can execute it.

"Regardless of that, however, I would rather be us than be a United fan now.

"Yes, they have had some good results against us and it's a derby so you have all kinds of paranoias about what might happen - but going into this game, they are probably more worried about how to stop us, than vice versa."

Find out how Lawro and Johnny Marr think the rest of the weekend's fixtures will go

Mike Minay
BBC Radio Manchester

Some 10 years ago, Sergio Aguero scored a goal to win Manchester City the Premier League title, snatching it from Manchester United on goal difference.

The Blues have gone on to win four more. The Reds just one. Both sides have changed managers, players and staff, so how did one make it work and the other not?

"I would need an hour to explain what we've done at City," said Pep Guardiola. "All the people before [I arrived] had the same idea. Step by step, we try to win our games."

A 'pattern' according to the Blues boss. "We want to play this way."

Even in the days before Guardiola - Roberto Mancini and Manuel Pellegrini - there was an air of wanting to play attractive, possession-based football.

Guardiola has always been very praising of his backroom team - from ground to boardroom level. This and money are the two things he relates to most when talking about City's success.

That said, the home side have won just three of the past 17 Manchester derbies. And that just goes to show that derbies are unpredictable.

Arsenal

Speaking to BBC Sport, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said: "Credit to Watford, they are fighting for their lives. They changed their team and it is hard to beat them.

"We are getting better and better, the understanding between the players is getting better and we should have scored more today."

On his role in appearing to leave his technical area and throwing the ball to his players on the touchline before the third goal: "I saw the ball there and saw an opportunity to take an advantage. I don't know if I should have done it but that is the way I live the game and I couldn't help myself.

"I see how willing they [the players] are every day to train and improve. I think they are enjoying playing together and when some days, it is not your best day, you somehow manage to win and that is important.

"We have to be very honest with ourselves and our defensive structure was not good enough today. We allowed some chances and it is something we will work on."

On the race for the top four: "We are there now and we'll go game by game. Every game is a rollercoaster, we have three big games coming up in a week."

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

It has taken a long time for Jadon Sancho to get the chance to play at Etihad Stadium.

His two FA Youth Cup final appearances for Manchester City were at the nearby City Football Academy, he never played a first-team game for the club and was injured when Borussia Dortmund were beaten in the away leg of last season's Champions League quarter-final.

When the 21-year-old signed for Manchester United for £73m last July, Sancho would have hoped his return to City would be the backdrop to a key match in the title race.

To some extent, it is. But only because it is a game City cannot afford to lose as Liverpool breathe down their necks at the top of the Premier League.

For United fans, it is a game to watch from behind the back of the sofa given the contemptuous manner in which they were dismissed by City at Old Trafford in a one-sided contest last November.

But for Sancho, it is still a game to relish. It has taken a bit of time but finally he is starting to show why United paid all that money for him - and why Pep Guardiola was still grumbling about the winger's exit to Germany 18 months after it happened.

Read more of Simon Stone's piece on Jadon Sancho here

Image source, BBC Sport

• Manchester City are looking to complete the league double over Manchester United for just the second time under manager Pep Guardiola, having previously done so in 2018-19.

• 67% of City’s Premier League defeats this season have come in home games (2/3), including a 3-2 loss to Spurs last time out at the Etihad. Only once have they lost back-to-back home league games under Pep Guardiola, doing so against Leeds and Chelsea in April/May last season.

Arsenal

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta speaking to Sky Sports: "It is very pleasing; we know how difficult it is to be in this position in this league. We've earned it; we have comes a long way as a team."

On playing a part in one of Arsenal's goals: "I saw an advantage and I took it; we have to be alive and that is the way I live the game. I try to instil that in the team as well."

On the performance: "We had great attacking moments but I wasn't pleased with our organisation. We didn't dominate and play the way we wanted. Credit to Watford, but a lot of it was down to us; we should have done better and there is a lot to improve."

It's already buzzing at the Etihad and we've not had a ball kicked in anger yet.

I think it's fair to say that this ground can sometimes feel a bit underwhelming in terms of the noise and passion it provides in comparison to some other places. It's kind of understandable with the way modern football and Manchester City have developed in recent years.

It'll be much more old school today. And better for it.

Bill Rice
BBC Radio Manchester

Ralf Rangnick was giving nothing away on Manchester United's search for a new manager or what his own future may be when he spoke to the media on Friday, before his first experience of a Manchester derby on Sunday.

The German said he hasn't thought about his chances of being permanent boss, or spoken to the club about if he will be involved in the process of recruiting the next man.

Instead, his full focus is on the upcoming games, starting on Sunday against the champions at Etihad Stadium.

However, he did speak about where he thinks Manchester City and Liverpool have got things right in recent seasons, and what United can learn from their rivals.

"It is pretty easy in football," he said. "You need the best possible people, have a clear idea and stick to it.

"City and Liverpool have continuity and consistency on head coach for the past five or six years - and, for me, Jurgen [Klopp] and Pep [Guardiola] are the best two coaches on the planet.

"They have very clear identity about how they want to play. This is the secret behind their success.

"This is what all the top clubs have in common and is something that needs to be developed at Manchester United."

The late 1950s Real Madrid, late 80s AC Milan and Guardiola Barcelona side all currently quaking in their boots after that result at Vicarage Road.