The Citizens have been in a poor run of form having failed to record a win in any of their last three matches in all competitions. After losing to West Ham in the Premier League, the defending champions failed to create an impression in the subsequent match losing 2-0 to Newcastle.
However Sunday's encounter will hold much more importance for the City players who would want to ensure that they put forth a much better performance than their display in the last three matches. Man City have enjoyed an advantage over their fierce rivals in recent games having recorded victories in four of the last five matches played between the two sides.
To their advantage the Citizens have the league's most in form striker in the shape of Sergio Aguero in their squad who has already registered nine goals in the league so far and will be looking to further improve his tally. His compatriot and summer signing Marcos Rojo on the other hand will be handed the difficult task of limiting down the threat posed by the mercurial forward and the 24 year old stressed on just how difficult it is to keep Sergio Aguero at bay.
"It's crucial to defend well against Sergio," Rojo said.
"Everyone knows he is a very fast player who can inflict damage.
"He's very good at getting into dangerous positions. You need to be very focused and concentrated on his movement and be very aware of where he is and where he might put himself.
"You need to do throughout the 90 minutes."
Rojo further stressed on the significance of the match on Sunday and added that a win would result in a huge boost of confidence for the players.
"Sunday's game is very important. City are a direct rival in the league.
"A win would be very important for confidence for the next few matches and would help us in a big way to carry on amassing points."
Man United skipper Wayne Rooney will be available for selection having served his ban after receiving a red card in the match against West Ham. However there will be no return for Colombian international Radamel Falcao who failed to recover from a knock, he joins Jonny Evans on the sidelines. Antonio Valencia and Phil Jones on the other hand could feature for the Red Devils.
Man City on the other hand will be without playmaker David Silva who suffered an injury during the defeat at the hands of Newcastle whereas Frank Lampard is another player who will not be available for selection for City. Yaya Toure is likely to start despite a groin complaint.
Manchester Derby team sheets
Man City's first XI: Hart, Zabaleta, Kolarov, Demichelis, Kompany, Fernando, Yaya Toure, Navas, Milner, Jovetic, Aguero.
Man City's bench: Caballero, Clichy, Sagna, Fernandinho, Boyata, Dzeko, Nasri.
Man United's first XI: De Gea, Valencia, Smalling, Rojo, Shaw, Blind, Fellaini, Januzaj, Rooney, Di Maria, van Persie
Man United's bench: Lindegaard, McNair, Carrick, Fletcher, Herrera, Mata, Wilson
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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