Previewing the 170th Manchester derby

Long gone are the days when Manchester was known as a textile powerhouse; football, along with "Coronation Street" and Noel Gallagher, is what defines the city in the modern era.

And few fixtures on the planet command the type of respect the Manchester derby orders, particularly when it contains the type of urgency that surrounds Sunday's 170th edition of the match.

Manchester United and Manchester City reportedly spent £88.9 million and £136.5 million, respectively, between their three most expensive signings of the summer transfer window. The former opened its wallet to secure Anthony Martial, Memphis Depay, and Morgan Schneiderlin, while the latter splashed on Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, and Nicolas Otamendi.

Of course, that pales in comparison to the type of money held by Prince Charles, who presented the FA Cup to United in 1999, whose son bears a striking resemblance to De Bruyne, and who famously appeared on an episode of "Coronation Street" back in 2000.

Since none of that really has anything to do with the Manchester derby, let's focus on the upcoming clash.

The Details

Time: 10:05 a.m. (ET)

Venue: Old Trafford

Television: Sky Sports (United Kingdom - English), BT Sport (United Kingdom - English), NBC Sports (U.S. - English), TSN1 (Canada - English)

Injuries and Suspensions

When it comes to injuries and suspensions, City is in some trouble.

A hamstring injury sustained by Sergio Aguero and an ankle injury suffered by David Silva means that the Citizens will be without their two top players for the game. If that wasn't bad enough, Samir Nasri, Fabian Delph, and Gael Clichy will also be on the sidelines.

On the other hand, United is almost as healthy as the club could possibly be. Ashley Young is not yet fit enough to play after only just recovering from a calf problem, and Luke Shaw is, obviously, recovering after breaking his leg in the Champions League. That aside, the Red Devils are in good shape.

Projected Lineups

Manchester United (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Valencia, Jones, Smalling, Rojo; Carrick, Schneiderlin; Mata, Rooney, Depay; Martial

Projecting United's lineup is a difficult task given how frequently Louis van Gaal rotates his starting XI.

The glaring questions are at right-back and in the defensive midfield. Matteo Darmian has started all nine of the club's Premier League fixtures this season, but faces competition from Antonio Valencia, who is fresh off a man-of-the-match performance in the Champions League. In the midfield, Michael Carrick could get the start over Schweinsteiger.

Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Hart; Zabaleta, Mangala, Otamendi, Kolarov; Fernandinho, Yaya Toure; Navas, De Bruyne, Sterling; Bony

City's glut of injuries means adjustments have to be made up front, where Wilfried Bony will almost certainly get his fourth start of the season. There is also debate over who should partner Eliaquim Mangala at centre-back, as both Otamendi and Vincent Kompany are fit and in contention.

3 Things to Watch

'A wider sense of flux'

As Barney Ronay of the Guardian aptly explained, "there is a wider sense of flux" about the Manchester derby this time around.

Of the 169 previous editions of the derby, United has won 70, City has won 49, and a draw was produced in the other 50. In other words, a victory for City would mark its 50th against United, resulting in the Citizens hitting a milestone that its crosstown rival hit long ago. A win for United, on the other hand, could be labelled as its most significant result since Sir Alex Ferguson departed.

Furthermore, the match marks the first time since 2004-05 that both clubs enter the derby having failed to capture any silverware in the prior season.

Who will shine in his inaugural Manchester derby?

Both United and City are in the midst of justifying some expensive investments, and there is no greater stage for doing so than the Manchester derby.

Should one of Martial, Depay, Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger, De Bruyne, Sterling, or Otamendi produce his best performance of the season, it will serve as proof that he was worth every penny.

Such is the power of the Manchester derby.

Can City continue its form without Aguero and Silva?

Since City lost Aguero and Silva to injury during the international break, the club has been able to get by, thrashing AFC Bournemouth 5-1 and defeating Sevilla 2-1.

With no disrespect to the aforementioned opponents, City faces its ultimate test of life without its top two players at United. It should be fascinating to see whether City can earn a third straight win.