Man Utd v Man City preview

United will be eager to prove that the suggested shift in power between the two clubs, brought on by City's extravagant spending this summer, is vastly exaggerated.

Meanwhile Mark Hughes' men will be determined to show their fantastic 4-2 win over Arsenal last time out was no flash in the pan.

The champions head into the clash in good form having produced their best performance of the season in the 3-1 win at Tottenham last week, ending Spurs' 100 per cent record in the process, something the Red Devils will be looking to do to City on Sunday.

City will not be without confidence themselves having won their opening four Premier League games culminating in a sensational win over the Gunners, a result which had many, not just tipping City for a top-four spot but a full-on title tilt.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men have only beaten their near neighbours twice in their last eight meetings at the Theatre of Dreams, a record the Scot is sure to ! want to improve this weekend.

Ferguson has fuelled the fire considerably ahead of the clash after he described City's behaviour following their capture of Carlos Tevez as 'arrogant' and 'cocky' before declaring that he still classed Liverpool as United's main rivals.

Ferdinand doubt
United look certain to be without Rio Ferdinand for the match after the defender aggravated his groin injury in the win at White Hart Lane last time out.

The 30-year-old made his first league start of the season and completed the full 90 minutes against Spurs but was then forced to sit out of the 1-0 UEFA Champions League win at Besiktas in midweek and he is likely to miss out again.

Jonny Evans stepped in for Ferdinand on Tuesday and he should do so again against City.

Ferguson opted to play Wayne Rooney as a lone striker in Turkey but expect Dimitar Berbatov to come back in and partner the England ace on Sunday.

The champi! ons will be without the suspended Paul Scholes after he was se! nt-off a gainst Tottenham for two bookable offences so Ryan Giggs, who was left out completely against Besiktas, could step straight back in.

Another to miss out altogether against the Turks was midfielder Darren Fletcher and he should slot straight back in against City while Edwin Van der Sar (hand), Rafael (shoulder), Owen Hargreaves (knees) and Gabriel Obertan (back) remain sidelined.


Striker crisis
Hughes was criticised for signing too many strikers in the summer but it now looks like he was right to do so.

Star frontman Emmanuel Adebayor will miss the clash through suspension after the Football Association handed him a three-game ban for scraping his boot down Arsenal forward Robin Van Persie's face last week.

The Togo international will be sorely missed having scored in every league game so far this season.

Former United idol Carlos Tevez is also a doubt after he injured his knee playing for Argentina last week. !

The 25-year-old was a firm favourite amongst Red Devils supporters during his two-year stay at the club but following his switch to City, after he snubbed an offer from United, it remains to be seen what sort of reception he will receive should he take to the field.

Tevez is supposedly confident he will play his part but strike partner Robinho will miss out with an ankle injury so Benjani, who is also struggling with a thigh problem, and Craig Bellamy could be called upon in attack by Hughes.

City are also sweating on the fitness of influential midfielder Stephen Ireland (ankle/foot) while Roque Santa Cruz (knee), Vincent Kompany (ankle/foot) and Michael Johnson (hip) are definitely out.

Probable starting XIs:

Man Utd: Foster, O'Shea, Evans, Vidic, Evra, Nani, Fletcher, Anderson, Valencia, Berbatov, Rooney.

Man City: Given, Richards, Bridge, Toure, Lescott, De Jong, Barry, Ireland, Wright-Phillips, Petrov, ! Bellamy.