Manchester United and Manchester City meet at Old Trafford this afternoon with local pride and three Premier League points at stake.

The derby gets underway at 4.30 pm, with both sides arriving in contrasting form.

Manchester City have made a perfect start to the new Premier League campaign, winning all three of their league matches so far. Enzo Maresca’s side have also won four games in a row in all competitions, including their Champions League victory over Porto.

Manchester United have had a more mixed opening. They were beaten by newly promoted Hull City on the opening weekend, before recovering to beat Ipswich Town and draw with Everton.

United will take confidence from Thursday night’s 4-0 win over Azerbaijan’s Sabah, which they will hope provides the ideal preparation for today’s derby.

The sides have met many times over the years.

City won 6-3 in 2022, with Erling Haaland and Phil Foden both scoring hat-tricks, while United’s biggest Premier League derby win came in 1994 when they beat City 5-0.

Wayne Rooney’s spectacular overhead kick gave United a famous 2-1 win in 2011, while City responded the following season with a 6-1 victory at Old Trafford.

There will be plenty of attention on the key players once again today.

Erling Haaland has already scored three Premier League goals this season and has eight goals in seven league appearances against United.

Matheus Cunha will lead the line for United, while Bruno Fernandes will be one of their main creative threats after scoring a hat-trick and providing an assist against Ipswich.

Rayan Cherki has also made a bright start for City, with two goals and two assists so far this season.

Today’s derby will also be a first for Maresca as Manchester City’s manager, while Michael Carrick prepares for another Manchester derby in charge of United.

And with the two sides having produced so many memorable encounters in the past, another dramatic afternoon at Old Trafford could be in store.