Image source, BBC Sport

I am very clear in my mind about how this game will go.

Manchester United have really improved under Erik ten Hag, and I don't think he gets enough credit for their progress since the start of the season.

There is something not quite right about Manchester City, who have not been firing on all cylinders since the season resumed after the World Cup, but I am still expecting them to win.

Some City players like Joao Cancelo and Kyle Walker look out of form, and even Kevin de Bruyne has been below his best, but part of their problem is down to what is known as 'Pep Roulette' - Pep Guardiola's ever-changing team selections.

He gambled in the Carabao Cup against Southampton on Wednesday, when Kalvin Phillips came into midfield for his first start, and it didn't pay off.

Guardiola says he has had some "ridiculous" ideas about how his side will beat United, but I am pretty sure it will include giving Erling Haaland a start. He will play his best side and, if they perform anything like they can do, they will win - it's as simple as that.

I was very confident City would absolutely smash United in October, and it turned out I didn't go big enough with my prediction - I said 4-1 and it ended up 6-3. It will be a lot closer this time, but Pep will still collect the points.

Prediction: 1-2

Martin Keown
Former England defender on Football Focus

Image source, Getty Images

Rashford is playing with more intelligence and composure. He's a different animal in front of goal. He is reinvigorated in a Manchester United shirt.

James McFadden
Former Scotland forward on BBC Radio 5 Live

The favourites are still Man City, if they play to their capabilities then United will have to try and stop them. It doesn't mean that Man Utd can't win the game but City are still favourites.

The buzz around United is because of how well they're playing. For a number of years it's been: 'what style are they playing?' Last year, people said they had players who can't press and play at high energy but they're doing exactly that.

The manager has been very consistent from the day he's come in about the discipline, the hard work and the team ethic.

I think he's got that, he's got a settled team where everyone is working hard for the team and individual players, Marcus Rashford being the prime example, are starting to shine within that. the ethos of the team is that it's for the team.

Karen Bardsley
Former England and Manchester City goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

I'm a bit biased but based on current form, I think it's going to be really tight. I think City will just edge it today.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United have only lost once in 18 games since a 6-3 defeat by City in October.

Are they still in the title race?

"When I see the way United are playing, why not? Their play is good," said City boss Pep Guardiola.

"It is nice for us, the challenge to prove ourselves again.

"I had the feeling that the strength and quality of Manchester United was always there. United are playing now how they played all their history.

"I said a few months ago that United are back. People say they're not. They're back. I knew it, I felt it."

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Old Trafford

Manchester United have lost one game in 18 since they were thrashed 6-3 at Manchester City in early October and the mood around Old Trafford is one of quiet optimism.

Manager Erik ten Hag is slowly but surely putting his imprint on things here and if they win today they are only one point behind the reigning champions. They would have settled for that after that infamous 4-0 thrashing at Brentford at the start of the season.

If United can win today everyone at this club, who have lived in City's shadow in recent years, will regard it as a massive statement.

It's been a filthy day around here but conditions have improved as kick-off approaches.

Everton

Everton’s Board of Directors have been instructed not to attend today’s Premier League fixture against Southampton because of a “real and credible threat to their safety and security".

Chairman Bill Kenwright, CEO Denise Barrett-Baxendale, Chief Finance & Strategy Officer Grant Ingles and Non-Executive Director Graeme Sharp have reluctantly accepted the outcome of the safety assessment carried out by security advisors.

More here., external

Martin Keown
Former England defender on Football Focus

Pep will have been in the ear of the Man City players since the loss to Southampton. They have not looked as convincing this season and today is a chance to change that.

Man City, the way they recycle the ball and pass it, surely they will click back into gear.

Dion Dublin
Former England striker on Football Focus

I'm not going to say it [picking Shaw at centre-back] is questionable because Shaw has played well at centre-back. I am not displeased.

Manchester City's 6-3 Premier League win against Manchester United in October set a record for most goals in this fixture.

United have lost the last three league meetings. A fourth in a row would equal the club Premier League record for defeats against the same opponent, set against Liverpool in 2002 and City in 2014.

City have won nine of their past 14 visits to Old Trafford in all competitions, directly following a run of one victory in 32 attempts.

United could go four successive home games without scoring against City for just the second time, and first since 1914.

The Red Devils have not dropped points from a winning position in a Manchester derby since a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in September 2005.

Manchester United approach the derby on an eight-game winning run and victory at Old Trafford would narrow the gap to Manchester City to one point.

The Football News Show discusses how manager Erik ten Hag has inspired confidence in United this season.

Manchester United

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag to BT Sport: "I think this is the best team in the league. Arsenal are leading and are doing an incredible job and are a good team as well but I think City is a big test.

"It is of course a derby but also the quality of the players and the co-operation in the team... You have to be good to win this game.

"Lisandro Martinez didn't play that many games in the last four weeks. Charlton was the first time he played 90 minutes. This is a real, big game. We need him today but we will see at what point. Of course he can contribute to this back four and we can put him on.

"It is always the team first. The team has to defend properly as a unit. If the centre-halves don't get co-operation from the rest of the team they are exposed.

"It is more than Erling Haaland. We have to defend a lot of good players from them. The most important thing is to play our game and on the ball show belief, go forward as much as possible."

Andrew Priestley: On first viewing, that Manchester United line-up doesn’t fill me full of confidence. Malacia at LB will limit Rashford’s effectiveness. Bruno Fernandes at RW lessens his impact on the game. Hopefully I’m wrong. Luke Shaw at CB up against Erling Haaland is, eh, brave.

Peter Schmeichel
Former Manchester United goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

I'm still not 100% convinced that Manchester United are in a phase where we are serious competitors for the title.

I want to be certain that they can finish in the top four this season.

Manchester City

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola to BT Sport:

"During the season there are good and bad moments. We will never forget who we are, we have to do the best performance we can, we will do it again."

On team rotation: "Everyone is fresh, in this part of the season everyone is playing minutes and training. We cannot just think this season how many minutes people have played. Over the past 10 years players have played many minutes."

On Manchester United's form: "In this season they have huge moments and a new manager has to settle. They've been incredible.

"We cannot forget who we are and where we are. We are a little bit away from the best team in the Premier League, in Arsenal, but we are second in the table and we are there. There are 60 or 63 points left to get in the season."

Marcus Rashford leads Manchester United's goalscoring charts this season, but could the arrival of Wout Weghorst disrupt his role in the team?

Former Manchester City midfielder Michael Brown and The Times' Charlotte Duncker discuss the striker's form and best position on The Football News Show, with Brown saying the England forward will want to prove he is still the "main man".