Manchester United visit their local rivals Man City on Sunday as they bid to close the 14-point between themselves and the Premier League leaders.
Pep Guardiola’s men are running away with the title, having won their 21st consecutive match earlier this week with a 4-1 victory over Wolves.
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It is the longest winning run in the history of English football and United, who were being touted potential title contenders themselves in December, now have the monumental task of putting it to an end.
The Red Devils stumbled to a third consecutive goalless draw at Crystal Palace earlier this week, a performance which saw club legend Gary Neville say they were ‘sleepwalking’ into a title race.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side put in a lacklustre display at Selhurst Park and they have won only one of their last five matches in the division.
However, rivalry often puts form to the sidelines and you never know what could happen in the Manchester derby, which often proves to be an entertaining encounter.
But what is the team news for the match and how could both teams line-up at the Etihad? talkSPORT.com takes a look…
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Man City team news
Guardiola has a fully-fit squad available for Sunday’s derby.
Defender Nathan Ake is back in contention after recovering from a muscular problem, meaning that the Premier League leaders now have no players in the treatment room.
Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference: “Good news – Nathan is back. He made part of the training session and felt good. Everyone is fit and that is important for the next few weeks.
City have a 14-point lead at the top of the table and Guardiola is well aware of the importance of the game against second-placed United at the Etihad Stadium.
He said: “This game is important – like the previous one and the next one.
“I know how difficult United are. Every year they get better from the previous season, (they have gone) more than one year not losing away and they have good results at the Etihad.
“We have the good opportunity to increase the distance. We spoke in training about what we have to do to beat them.”
Sergio Aguero started the West Ham game last Saturday but struggled to make an impact during the match and was an unused substitute for the 4-1 victory over Wolves in midweek.
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Manchester United team news
Dean Henderson is expected to start for United once again after David De Gea was granted permission to return to Spain for the birth of his child.
Solskjaer expects him to be back soon but could not give a timeframe as Henderson prepares to line up in Sunday’s tough trip to relentless runaway leaders.
“It’s a fantastic day for David,” the United boss said. “Of course when you become a dad that’s probably the best possible feeling you can have.
“Dean came in and played well and he’s ready, so I’ll give David the time he needs of course.”
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Juan Mata and Phil Jones will be missing at the Etihad Stadium, where Solskjaer is ‘still hoping to get one or two back’.
Donny Van De Beek was absent for the trip to Palace with an unspecified injury, while Anthony Martial missed out after sustaining a knee complaint in training on Monday and Paul Pogba has been out with a thigh issue.
“I would believe at least Victor (Lindelof) should be fine,” Solskjaer added.
“He was on the bench but he was still feeling the effects of his back but hopefully he’ll be OK.
“Martial maybe. I probably wouldn’t see Paul being ready, no.”
Man City XI
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