Manchester United will get their last chance to fight for their top four hopes at the Ehihad on Sunday when they face City.
While both teams have performed way below expectations in the league, they both head into this Derby with contrasting fortunes.
United were on Thursday knocked out of the Europa League by Liverpool, while City for the first time qualified for the quater-finals of the champions League.
Both teams will be missing key players including their captains, and with a place in the top four at stake, both teams will be going for the jugular.
Redlyunited looks at three things United can do to turn the match in their favour.
1. Attack City's central defence with intensity
Manchester City will be missing the services of their talismanic leader in defence: Kompany, while Nicholas Otamendi is also a doubt.
This means the centre defence pairing of the Citizens won't be as strong as it use to be.
Demichelis and Mangala will most likely be the pairing for the game.
If United can be ruthless in front on goal, get dirty in the final third, pull in the crosses, fight for every ball and stop being mechanical, then they can force that City centre defence pairing to mistake and get goals.
That will only happen if United will attack with intensity and power.
2. Deal with the Aguero threat effectively
The Argentine no doubt carry City's goal scoring burden. With sixteen (16) league goals in twenty two (22) matches this season, he is one of the league's best strikers.
The likes of Smalling and Blind must be on top of their game, to keep him silent at the Etihad.
3. Win the midfield battle against Yaya Toure and David Silva
These two are arguably City's best driving force in connecting the midfield to attack.
Silva has 10 league assist to his credit this season, while Toure has five goals and same number of assists in fifteen (15) league appearances.
Toure will bring his physical presence to the game, while Silva will always try to get past the United defenders with tricks, flicks and one-twos.
Both players will be trying to find the gaps between the United midfield and defence.
Toure must not be given the chance to start gallivanting with the ball in the United half, while Silva must be well marked.
The best way to deal with this duo is to cut the supply of ball to them.
That means United the midfielders must be at their ball keeping best with high pass accuracy on the evening.
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