In Manchester there’s one game both City and United fans look for first when the fixture list is released: the derby.
On Sunday, United boss David Moyes and City manager Manuel Pellegrini experience the electric atmosphere of a Manchester derby inside the Etihad stadium for the very first time in their reigns.
Both managers will know that this game means everything to the fans. United supporters want to silence the din coming from their noisy neighbours for a few months and the City faithful are always happy to sing the Blues when the Red Devils lose.
From City’s momentous 6-1 to last season’s five-goal thriller, the people of Manchester have been spoiled in recent years. So Sportsmail canvassed opinion among both sets of fans ahead of the weekend’s blockbuster.
Who should be feared? Who can make the difference? And, most importantly, who gets the bragging rights come Monday morning? The city is divided. Here’s what the supporters had to say ahead of the big kick-off.
Dominic Hovington, 24, marketing assistant from Timperley, RED
Favourite Manchester derby moment: Paul Scholes’ last minute header at the Etihad in 2010. The game was poor but Scholes gave us the bragging rights after 92 uneventful minutes. Michael Owen’s stoppage time winner the same season wasn’t a bad moment either. That one really got to the City fans.
Worst derby moment: Edin Dzeko’s second, City’s sixth, in THAT 6-1 defeat.
Most feared opponent: Yaya Toure. He dominates the game from midfield. His sheer size and speed make him very difficult to stop when he’s bursting through the middle.
Player your opponents should fear the most: Robin van Persie. RVP has scored six in six so far this season. Clinical. You can’t ask for much more than that.
Composite 2013/14 Manchester XI: David de Gea, Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra, Michael Carrick, Yaya Toure, David Silva, Sergio Aguero, Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie
Where will you be watching the game? At the Pub
And finally… prediction for Sunday: 2-1 United. Wayne Rooney to get the winner.
Ollie Walton, 25, auditor from Wilmslow, BLUE
Favourite Manchester derby moment: Watching City put six past United at Old Trafford is the obvious choice. Closely followed by Vincent Kompany scoring at Eastlands to do the double over United on the way to the title.
Worst derby moment: Michael Owen making it 4-3 to United in Fergie time. I watched in a London pub where my brother and I were the only blues surrounded by United fans going ballistic in the 97th minute.
Most feared opponent: Has to be RVP
Player your opponents should fear the most? Sergio Aguero or Yaya Toure. They’re both world class.
Composite 2013/14 Manchester XI: Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra, Yaya Toure, Marouane Fellaini, David Silva, Jesus Navas, Sergio Aguero, Robin van Persie
Where will you be watching the game? At the Etihad
And finally… prediction for Sunday: 2-1 to City with Alvaro Negredo, Aguero and RVP getting the goals.
