A Manchester derby with a lot to lose

When you take a look at the Manchester derbies of this season, you might just frown. Three have been played and Manchester United have won two. 

When you compare the strength of the sides and look at their league position, you will see the drastic difference between the sides. And clearly, Pep Guardiola's side are better than local rivals. 

But in the end, a derby is a derby and both sides will look to win and claim the city. Manchester United need a win to stay in contention for the top four whereas Manchester City need the win to keep even a bit of hope alive for the title which was theirs in the past two seasons.

City's battle for nothing? 

Liverpool are 22 points ahead of City at the summit and it is pretty obvious that even if they do not finish as invincibles. But it is still not won and City will try to cash in on Liverpool's recent poor form. 

They have a concern in their stalwart midfielder Kevin De Bruyne as the midfielder has a slight problem with his back. De Bruyne was vital in their 1-2 win at Real Madrid and looks like, City will have to do without him in the local derby. 

City need the win for another reason as a defeat to United could mean they will have to give Liverpool a 'guard of honour' at Etihad and surely, they will not want them. Especially Guardiola, who has a special rivalry with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp. 

United need a top-four spot

The glory days are over at Manchester United and for the last few years, their only fight has been to be in the top four. They are pretty much in shambles and they need good players to bring their good old days back. And that looks pretty much impossible without playing in the Champions League. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjær might go into the game with a couple of positives, one being their recent record against City and the other their January signing Bruno Fernandes. 

Fernandes has hit the ground running as he has already scored a couple of goals and assisted a couple more. He has been thoroughly influential and United have looked a far better side with him. 

United currently sit on fifth with 42 points with Chelsea being third with 45. If they can clinch a win at the Old Trafford, they will catch up with a game more. But still, they will be on their back and that means, they will still have the chance of fighting for a Champions League spot. 

And when the game is at the theatre of dreams, there is no point of not dreaming.