Manchester United vs. Manchester City: Positional breakdown

Here, we examine which side has the advantage in various departments on the pitch heading into Sunday's Manchester derby.

Goalkeepers

Two of the best shot-stoppers in the Premier League square off on Sunday. David De Gea and Joe Hart both play important roles on their respective teams, making timely saves and keeping things organised at the back.

The difference between the two is not all that great. But the odd howler can elude Hart, and De Gea is good for at least one game-changing stop. Manchester United players know they can count on the 24-year-old Spanish international. He doesn't necessarily make the most saves, or preserve the most clean sheets; instead, De Gea is in the business of wins.

"I think De Gea can actually win us the league," former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said in September.

Advantage: Manchester United

Defenders

Both United and Manchester City have allowed just eight goals so far, but the Red Devils lead this department after making several adjustments in the early part of the campaign.

The most improved of the bunch is Chris Smalling, once prone to make mistakes but now a conductor in defence.

He was culpable for a needless challenge on James Milner, which resulted in a second yellow card in the derby last year. Manager Louis van Gaal called that play a stupid one.

A season later, Van Gaal's tone has drastically changed.

"Wayne Rooney is the captain and so you don't have to worry, and then (vice-captain) Michael Carrick," the Dutchman said. "But when they are gone, then Chris Smalling can do that, so I push him also in that situation.

"He also has the talent to speak. That makes him easy to coach. Because of that, I made him a leader of the team."

With blazing fullback and player of the month Matteo Darmian also in the squad, United has the tools to push forward from the back.

Advantage: Manchester United

Midfielders

Van Gaal and Manuel Pellegrini could easily elect to go for a 4-2-3-1 formation on Sunday, setting up a more cautious and tactical match between sides who could settle for a point this early in the calendar.

City has a mostly reliable double pivot in Yaya Toure and Fernandinho, and aren't short of attacking midfielders. Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne, and Jesus Navas all have the pace to bedevil United's defenders. The interchange between these five key players could prove difficult to prevent. Deep runs from Toure could also cause problems, as the Ivorian midfielder is not afraid to pick up the ball and dash at opponents.

United's midfielders are not as quick or defensively responsible, but they are creative. Juan Mata is the trickiest player on the projected XIs, with his passes capable of carving up any Premier League defence. Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger, however, are still a work in progress.

Advantage: Manchester City

Forwards

Normally City has the advantage here. When Sergio Aguero is leading the line, he is almost impossible to stop.

Luckily for United, the Argentinian is out with a hamstring injury, and its own strike force is working just fine.

Anthony Martial continues to make runs at the right time and score with even greater efficiency. The 19-year-old Frenchman has five goals since joining United from AS Monaco, relieving the oft-criticised Rooney of all the burden.

Rooney, however, is starting to get back into form. And he has more goals than any other player in Manchester derby history. This is familiar territory, even at 30 years old, which he will be by the time the match kicks off.

Advantage: Manchester United