Manchester United vs. Manchester City: Steve McManaman makes prediction for derby match

Anticipation is building ahead of the first Manchester derby of the season which takes place on Sunday at Old Trafford. 

So far, Manchester United and Manchester City have had very different starts to their respective Premier League campaigns. 

City, who are the defending champions, have started brightly and find themselves in second place within touching distance of Tottenham Hotspur who sit top of the table. United meanwhile have experienced the opposite with a number of losses and currently sit outside the European places. 

However, as is the case with derby matches, all form goes out the window and when these two teams met at the Theatre of Dreams last season, it was United who triumphed with a 2-1 win and a win over the Blues this coming weekend maybe the spark that is needed for the Red Devils to kickstart the rest of their season. 

Former City winger Steve McManaman was asked by Betfred to give his prediction for the game and the ex-England international can only see the upcoming derby clash going one way. 

"Manchester United have done well in derby matches at Old Trafford in recent years. It all depends on what team they put out because if it’s the same team that played against Sheffield United on Saturday, then I would back Manchester City to win all day long," McManaman said.

“We will have to wait and see how the European games pan out in midweek and whether both team’s players can avoid injury.

"If the game was today, and if it was the two identical line-ups that played at the weekend, I would back Manchester City in a heartbeat.”