Bunny Shaw is so good.

The Manchester City striker gathers a loose ball, looks to turn and run at the Manchester United defence but is hauled down by Maya Le Tissier.

The free-kick is about 21 yards out. Alex Greenwood, who used to captain the Reds, is over the ball.

Image source, Getty Images

Rachel Brown-Finnis
Ex-England goalkeeper on BBC One

Manchester United are in the form of their lives. They were top at Christmas last season but didn't have the squad depth - which is phenomenal for them now - to keep that up.

Maya Le Tissier is a young England player for the future. She learned so much under Hope Powell at Brighton. It's great for her to have had that schooling.

Image source, Getty Images

The hosts are looking to be really patient on the ball when they get it. They are just trying to stroke it around and build.

The visitors are trying to move the ball forward a little bit quicker, but both are struggling with quality in the early exchanges.

We've just seen Man City club captain Steph Houghton bellowing some instructions from the bench.

Hope Powell
Former Brighton manager on BBC One

Momentum is key for both teams. It's a must-win game for Man City to stay in contention. If Man United win, they're closer in terms of the top of the league and reaching the Champions League. It's a big, big game.

An early sign of what we'll see from Manchester United and Alessia Russo.

They get the ball in midfield and the England striker runs in behind but is pulled back for offside.

I suspect we'll see a lot of that over the next 90 mins.

Jess Anderson
BBC Sport

Here we go then.

After an impressive fireworks display as the teams came out we're about ready to go.

Rather amusingly, Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly and Khadija Shaw walked out with two mascots each. Hemp's two little ones decided they fancied a little run around on the pitch so the Lioness just had to get them under control.

Exciting day for everyone, we're ready to go.

Image source, BBC Sport

Alessia Russo gets us under way, after both sides take the knee.

A healthy crowd applaud.

Image source, Getty Images

Kick-off is now just moments away.

The two teams are out on the Etihad pitch, going through their last-minute huddles, and in United's case shuttle runs.

This game is massive.

Image source, Getty Images

Fara Williams
Former England midfielder on BBC One

It's a massive occasion and it's what the game is becoming used to. It's as if they planned this game: both teams coming in with momentum, City nine unbeaten, United just beating Arsenal. City can go level with United or United can go six points clear of City.

Image source, Getty Images

• Manchester City are unbeaten against Manchester United in the Women’s Super League, winning three times and drawing twice.
• Manchester United have lost all three of their away games against Manchester City in the WSL – the only other side that they have lost 100% of their away games against in the competition are Chelsea (also 3/3).
• Manchester City have won each of their last six WSL matches – only Chelsea are currently on a longer winning run in the competition (8).
• Manchester United have won each of their last four away games in the Women’s Super League, last going on a longer such winning run between February and December in 2020 (6).
• Manchester City have won each of their last nine home matches in the Women’s Super League, scoring 33 goals at an average of 3.7 per game. They last won more in a row at home between February 2019 and February 2020 (11).

Jess Anderson
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

Earlier this week I spoke to Manchester City defender Kerstin Casparij who only moved to Manchester in the summer but she is "loving" life with the Blues.

"It’s been quite easy, I didn’t expect it to go that well. Going into a new country, new culture, new club, I didn’t know anyone when I came here but things have gone smoothly.

"The girls are amazing, the club is so nice to be at and Manchester is lovely to live," she said.

Esme Morgan and some of the other local girls have been telling the international players about the importance of the derby and Casparij said she can "feel the excitement" around this match.

"They have told me it can get quite intense but I didn’t expect anything else from a derby so them talking about it makes me even more excited," she said.

The Dutch 22-year-old speaks basically impeccable English but I asked her if she's picked up any Manc words yet and she said her favourite word is 'buzzing'.

I'm sure she'll be hoping that's the word she's using later today.

Image source, Getty Images

Today is the second time that the Manchester derby has been held at the Etihad Stadium.

The first time was back in September 2019, when 31,213 fans watched Caroline Weir's stunner decide the game.

There have reportedly been over 40,000 tickets sold for this game so it is likely to be a record Manchester City attendance.

We'll let you know as soon as we hear that later on.

Manchester City

Image source, Getty Images

Man City manager Gareth Taylor speaking on BBC One: "All games are vital but when you're going up against teams challenging around you it becomes a little bit more important. It's important to get the win today but regardless we're going to enjoy it.

"It's great first and foremost to have it at the Etihad, with really good support behind us and it's a good spectacle for the women's game.

"Bunny Shaw made a difference to us when she arrived, she's a different type of profile. A number nine and I think she's benefiting from playing week in week out."

• Read more about Bunny Shaw and how she has stepped up to replace Ellen White

United manager Skinner senses that his players' recent experiences of playing at Emirates Stadium and Old Trafford have left them well placed to galvanise the energy of a huge crowd today.

"The players have helped to create a movement within women's sport, where it's much more visible to everybody," he says. "That gives us more responsibility to keep performing, to make sure the crowds keep coming back.

"The increase in attendances is a wonderful sign. If you don't play in front of crowds of that size, you can't get into it — but we have. You have to focus away from the crowd noise and then use it at times. I want to see us doing that — experience will be key for us."

Image source, Getty Images

Jess Anderson
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

Well I'm in my seat, I've got a programme, the ground is filling up and the tunes are blasting - happy days.

What's in the brown bag you ask?

PICK N MIX!

That's right, Manchester City's press room has a selection of pick n mix. I'm going to eat them now before they freeze, don't judge.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

It isn't just the home side that will lifelong fans in their side, though.

The visitors will have plenty too, including midfielder and Lionesses star Ella Toone.

"I am really excited. These the games that I really look forward to. Being a noted fan I know how much it means to play in a derby and win a derby," she told BBC North West Tonight.

"When you support United and you know how much the derby means in Manchester, you can’t help but go in with a bit more fight and desire.

"I always go into every game with that but the derby is really special to me because I know how much it means as a fan to win.

"The family will be excited - I’ve got about 18 people coming and we only get seven tickets so I’m struggling!"

Image source, MCFC

Esme Morgan is a lifelong Manchester City fan and she has been speaking to BBC Sport this week about today's Manchester derby and what the rivalry means to her.

"It's the game you always look for in the calendar," said Morgan, who has been "educating" her team-mates on the importance of the feud.

"I was telling the Spanish girls [who played for Barcelona] how much we hate Manchester United. I said 'you know how much you hate Real Madrid, it's like that but more!'"

Morgan said she might find it difficult to resist joining in with the crowd should she hear City's chant 'if you hate Man United clap your hands' around the Etihad.

"I'll be humming along in the background - I might do a little clap on the side and hope no one notices," she joked.

Read more from Esme Morgan on the Manchester derby and her future as a potential England captain.

As I've already mentioned today marks the last full round of fixtures before the five-week winter break in the Women's Super League.

Therefore, it feels like the perfect time to hear from you!

I'm going to leave it pretty open but I'm thinking:

• Grade how your team has got on so far (think school report B+, C-, that sort of thing)
• A player that has impressed you, and why
• A team or player that you don't think has hit the heights you were expecting yet

You can tweet us using #bbcfootball or text us using 81111 (UK only - standard message rates apply). You can also WhatsApp us on 03301231826 now too.

Please include your names on all messages!

BBC One

Grab your remote! Our TV coverage is just about to start.

The Manchester derby is on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and you'll also be able to watch at the top of this page using the big play icon shortly.

Jeanette Kwakye is hosting with former England boss Hope Powell and midfielder Fara Williams joining her.

You can also listen to commentary from BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio Manchester.

Highlights from the day's other games are on the Women's Football Show, which is on BBC One at 00:25 GMT or BBC Red Button from 22:00. You'll be able to catch up on BBC iPlayer too.

Manchester United have had a really strong start to the season, having been out of the top three.

Going into this season they had only won once against Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City - the three that had dominated the league in recent years - and were yet to win away at any of those sides.

That changed with their 3-2 win over Arsenal at Emirates Stadium in November, but they'll need to continue picking up results against those sides to challenge for the title. Today is another test on that front.

“Getting the win against Arsenal helped psychologically - it was bigger than the three points," said Reds boss Marc Skinner in his pre-match press conference this week.

"We want to use the energy of the crowd against them [Man City] if we can. We’ve got to be at our very best.

"It’s a huge game for both teams but I’m hoping our team have shown their big-game mentality.”

Image source, BBC Sport/Getty Images