Good afternoon everyone and thank you for joining us as we bring you live coverage of the Manchester derby from Old Trafford, as Manchester United and Manchester City square up in the Premier League.

It is finally there, then, perhaps the biggest game of the season so far. United will be hoping to gain victory today to move them above City and level on points with Arsenal at the top of the standings. Pellegrini's charges, meanwhile, will want to stifle any suggestion of the Red Devils being title contenders this term with a win away from home.

City started the Premier League season in dominant form and it appeared likely that they would prove themselves as the strongest side capable of wrestling the title back from Chelsea. The Sky Blues put together five straight wins, but their challenge came under questioning after they fell to successive defeats to West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur, while they were also undone at home when facing Juventus in the Champions League.

Since that rough patch, Pellegrini's men have responded well in the league, notching 11 goals in two memorable victories over Newcastle United and Bournemouth. On the European stage, City also hit back with a comeback win away at Borussia Monchengladbach, before edging to a last-minute victory over Sevilla in midweek.

One major talking point in recent weeks has been the injury to Sergio Aguero, who bagged five goals against Newcastle before picking up a troublesome injury while away on international duty - leaving him out for at least four weeks. That injury paved the way for Raheem Sterling and Wilfriend Bony to shine against Bournemouth, although the City frontline arguably faltered when facing Sevilla on Wednesday.

Despite City looking a touch lacklustre in the final third in their last Champions League outing, fans were given another glimpse at just how important former Wolfsburg midfielder Kevin De Bruyne could be. The Belgian international was a constant threat against the Spaniards, and he held his nerve to score a brilliant goal in order to keep the Sky Blues' European aspirations alive.

Another subplot developing today comes in relation to City skipper Vincent Kompany, who has missed his club's last two outings despite claiming to be fit for action. Some suggestions are pushing forward the idea that Pellegrini is unhappy after Kompany appeared for Belgium during the international period. Other claims focus on the simply explanation that Kompany has purely been rested for this crunch game today. We shall soon see...

Today possibly presents a key game for the hosts, who are looking to finally put forward some suggestion that they might actually be capable of challenging for the title after two summers of prominent spending. Van Gaal has been keen to insist that City remain strong favourites to claim victory, but he will know that United fans are expecting a lot more than that after already notching 20 league crowns.

United's form has been a bit all over the place, but they had managed to claim three back-to-back wins since being defeated by Swansea City earlier in the campaign. The club's good run came to a stuttering halt when they were torn apart by Arsenal at the Emirates and the manner of that defeat will be particularly worrying for fans who are so used to seeing the club dominate fixtures.

Despite that defeat, United hit back last week with a commanding win over Everton at Goodison Park in a game that showcased the club's major improvements made at the back, following a tough season in defence last year. The main problem that exists for United, however, remains in the middle where they have strengthened heavily, but still appear to be lacking the required cutting edge to instigate world-class forward play.

Wayne Rooney's role in the side still flatters to deceive, but the Red Devils have evidently found a gem in the shape of Anthony Martial, who has been instrumental to their recent victories since arriving for a record fee from AS Monaco at the back-end of the summer window. One interesting thing to watch today will be exactly how Van Gaal deploys Rooney and Martial. The youngster has been used on the wing in recent weeks, but a lot of his damage has been done from a lone striker's position.

This contest should prove to be a mouth-watering battle in the middle of the park, where both sides have had their frailties this term. United have held so much of the ball in the early part of the season without really doing much with it. As for City, they have been picked apart in the centre in some of their games and that will be an area United will be hopeful of exploiting.

Van Gaal has a big choice to make this afternoon in terms of whether he opts with Michael Carrick or Bastian Schweinsteiger. It seems likely that Morgan Schneiderlin's industry will earn him a start in the centre, while Carrick has been rested over the last few games and he could well take Schweinsteiger's place. The former Bayern Munich man struggled in the club's last major clash with Arsenal and Van Gaal could choose to do something a little different here at home.

Pellegrini will have to decide on who he brings in as his main forward man. It appears as though Bony will start in attack with De Bruyne, Sterling and Jesus Navas behind him. The striker did struggle against Sevilla, though. David Silva could be waiting in the wings to make a shock early return form injury today, but his fitness still remains a major doubt. We will obviously be bringing you all of the team news as and when we get it.

Looking at the history of this fixture, City have the better grasp over their last six contests. The Sky Blues have claimed four victories and lost just two. Last time these sides met it was United who claimed bragging rights, though, as they ran out 4-2 winners at Old Trafford last season.

Remember this from a few years ago? Beautiful stuff:

It just wouldn't be derby day if we didn't show this again... #mufc https://t.co/ubWj1vv8gw — Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 25, 2015

Van Gaal has seemed rather irked in the build-up to this game, given that he has already rolled out a few excuses for a City win. Firstly he made the point of suggesting that United had the tougher preparations after they had to fly back from Moscow on Wednesday, while City played at home in Manchester. He has also been pretty adamant that the Sky Blues should be viewed as clear favourites too. Victory today could be huge for Van Gaal as quite a few questions still linger as to whether this United side has really made the necessary advances under his stewardship.

Plenty of people have been discussing the contest prior to kickoff, and City keeper Joe Hart has insisted that United are "just another team" to him. You can read all that he has had to say right here.

As for Navas, the winger believes that a victory at Old Trafford would present something "very big" for the visiting Sky Blues.

United man Schweinsteiger knows his way around a big derby or two having spent so long in the Bundesliga. Here is what he has had to say to the United Review:

"I am definitely looking forward to the derby against City. I think it is something very special and we should be very happy that we have two big clubs in one city that are also playing in the Champions League.

"I remember when I was in Munich we were always looking for that, but the other team at 1860 Munich didn't play so well. We were always looking for a derby but it was sadly not possible. Here, we can play lots of derbies and I am very happy about that."

Should the German start, he would come up against De Bruyne who has since had this to say:

"In the end it is just three points, so if you win or lose there it doesn't change a lot. But if we can win there we will put a little bit of pressure on them. For the fans it is one of the biggest games. If we can win there, you know how it goes, our supporters will talk to them for half the season until the next game. Hopefully, we can win this one because it is a big deal for them."

Here is a quick snap of Old Trafford as the stadium slowly starts to fill up:

@ManUtd The only place to be. #mufcfanpics pic.twitter.com/tHQaITEnm2 — Jack (@jacksb7) October 25, 2015

United coach Van Gaal also has some decisions to make at the back. Chris Smalling has managed to put together some impressive form, while the returning Phil Jones has started the Red Devils' last two fixtures. It seems as though Van Gaal might prefer the strength of Jones over Daley Blind against opposition with bigger strikers. That paid dividends against Romelu Lukaku last weekend.

Another call will need to be made at right-back, where Antonio Valencia will be aiming to displace Matteo Darmian who has been favoured for much of the campaign thus far. This game comes far too soon for Ashley Young, while Paddy McNair will also be missing.

The United players have now arrived at the ground. We will have the all-important team news when it drops:

The #mufc players have arrived - team news is coming up at 13:05 GMT... pic.twitter.com/yhc65M5ILd

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 25, 2015

United spent a fair amount of money on Memphis Depay and he has arguably been a touch disappointing. That has given a shot to Ander Herrera in recent weeks, who seems to have responded well to the chance in the club's forward-lying creative positions. He could well start again today, alongside Juan Mata and Martial.

So how exactly show City go about this task away from home? Some sections of the press have suggested that they might want to take the approach that Arsenal made by starting quickly. City have the pace to do that, but they will need to be careful that they do not leave themselves too open in the middle of the pitch. You get the sense that this contest might have been a touch easier had Aguero been fit to travel to Old Trafford.

We have all the team news now...

MANCHESTER UNITED STARTING XI: De Gea; Valencia, Jones, Smalling, Rojo; Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin; Herrera, Mata, Martial, Rooney

MANCHESTER UNITED SUBSTITUTES: Romero, Blind, Darmian, Carrick, Lingard, Memphis, Fellaini

MANCHESTER CITY STARTING XI: Hart; Sagna, Kompany, Otamendi, Kolarov, Fernando, Fernandinho, Toure, Sterling, De Bruyne, Bony

MANCHESTER CITY SUBSTITUTES: Caballero, Zabaleta, Demichelis, Mangala, Roberts, Navas, Iheanacho

The major news for United is that Juan Mata returns, who is to start alongside what could be a creative three also inclusive of Herrera and Martial. Rooney should play up top, with Schweinsteiger starting alongside Schneiderlin in the middle. Jones and Smalling start at the back, as do Valencia and Marcos Rojo. United could switch things up to a four-three-three if required, but it seems likely that they will start with a holding-two in the middle, three men further forward and then a sole striker up top.

Huge news for City in that Kompany comes into the defence at the expense of Eliaquim Mangala. Fernando comes into the middle in place of Navas, while Bony has kept his place up top for the visitors. The inclusion of Fernando suggests that Pellegrini wants a touch more industry in his engine room today. That choice could also free Yaya Toure up to venture forward more often than usual.

It seems at first look that these two teams have setup in equal formation, though United do have the choice to drop Herrera back further into the middle to establish a touch more control if required. Fernando could also do that role for City, but his place in the game will become clearer as the match progresses.

Aleksandar Kolarov has made a starting return to the club and he comes in for Pablo Zabaleta, while Bacary Sagna is to continue over on the other flank.

You would like to think that one key battle might win this contest, but looking at the formations it appears that every part of the pitch will be shaping up for battles of epic proportion. Midfield will be a definitive area, but whoever is able to create more going forward today will probably come out on top. Martial and De Bruyne stand out as the major creative men, although Mata and Sterling should not be glossed over.

Pellegrini has been speaking about the importance of this game for both the clubs and the city:

Manuel Pellegrini on derby day... #utdvcity #mcfc pic.twitter.com/0G9InkLvsv

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) October 25, 2015

The United Twitter account has been hard at it today. If you want to relive the last contest between the two clubs, you can do so below:

Get in the mood for today's game by reliving our 4-2 win over City last season... #mufc https://t.co/Gh0K3iieWO

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 25, 2015

The return of Kompany could be massive for City. He has good experience of these matches, as well as the strength and pace to put the shackles on Rooney and Martial. He has not played recently for the club, though, and United might be confident of putting him under some early pressure this afternoon.

Given City's lack of dominance in the middle in the past month, United might look to move things quickly through the centre to get their forward men pushing against the visitors' defenders at the earliest possible moment. City's choice of Toure, Fernandinho and Fernando should give their defence a bit more protection than they have recently seen, though.

Former England international Chris Waddle has suggested that City could copy Arsenal's tactics when things get underway at Old Trafford. You can read what the ex-midfielder has had to say here.

Legendary United man Phil Neville has also provided his take on the game, which he thinks will be a 'tight and tense' affair.

We are just over 20 minutes from the start of the contest and it is time to make a prediction. Both of these midfields have shown frailties, leaving both sets of attacking players the chance to shine this afternoon. City have to be favourites given the quality they have just behind the striker. However, United have a mercurial talent in the shape of Martial and you would not bet against Rooney finally coming up with the goods for the hosts this season. I think United might just snatch three points here: 2-1 to the Red Devils.

Their have been some great expectations placed on the shoulders of Martial. According to past United defender Rio Ferdinand, the young Frenchman is the only player that opposing teams fear in the current Manchester United squad.

Here are some thoughts from one of my fellow reporters Sian Cowper on how this contest could play out:

"This has potential to be another high-scoring Manchester derby, as the visitors come into this fixture with 11 goals from their last two outings in the league, while the in-form Martial will surely be a threat for the hosts. With the all-important city bragging rights on the line, this should be a fiercely-contested encounter, but the Old Trafford crowd will surely have a part to play. It looks like the stadium is already filling up nicely as kickoff approaches, so it should be a fantastic atmosphere in the ground come 2.05pm. Derby matches are notoriously unpredictable, but we can surely expect plenty of entertainment from this one."

Rooney's role in the game promises to be intriguing. He is arguably out-of-form despite his goal against Everton last weekend. The frontman has scored 11 goals in Manchester derbies; more than any other player in this fixture. Will he make the difference this afternoon? Only time will tell, not long to go now...

The ground is starting to fill up quite quickly... we should be in for a real belter this afternoon. Given United's improvements over the past few months, this game is starting to carry a lot more weight than it did last year. A win today could finally see United claim some of their swagger back after what seems like too long in the footballing wilderness.

One thing we know for sure is that these games tend to produce goals, and given that City have notched so many in recent weeks, we should see the net bulge more than once this afternoon. United will have to move the ball a lot quicker than they have done so far this season. As for City, they will be hoping to produce a bit more control in the middle.

The players are now in the tunnel, with both Kompany and Rooney keeping totally straight faces. Both sides look up for this one!

The teams emerge to rapturous applause in front of a packed-out Old Trafford. Things are a bit tense, but both sets of fans are still in full song as we await the start of the game.

As you would guess, United are in red and City in sky blue. We are just pausing for a few pictures and then it is showtime!

KICKOFF! United get us moving, kicking from right to left. The ball is moved around the middle and then to the back where De Gea gathers to launch a first move forward. United come down the right through Valencia, but they gave up possession for a City throw.

It is a fairly routine start as both sides aim to get a taste for the ball. Rojo aims to get Rooney in down the left channel, but De Bruyne is across to force him out for a throw.

United keep the ball for a sustained period in the middle, before Martial gets his first touch on the ball as he gives City possession back on the left. Lots of short stuff from the hosts so far, but nothing really to speak of going into the final third.

Valencia is left frustrated as he produces some great pace to get beyond Kolarov on the right. His cross goes out of play and is given as a goal kick, much to the winger's bemusement.

Toure brings Rooney down in the middle of the pitch and he should really be booked, but the referee decides to let things go. United go in again through Valencia down the right, but the cross is a poor one and City get another goal kick.

Martial gets his first opportunity to break on the left channel, although he opts for a ball down the line for Rojo instead. The pass is rather poor and the ball runs out for a goal kick before the full-back can reach it. The hosts have perhaps held the upper-hand so far.

Mata goes on a run inside the box and there are massive shouts for a hand-ball off Fernando, as the ball pings up and hits the centre-back in the City area. Nothing given from the referee, though.

De Bruyne gets his first real touch but Smalling is in quickly to apply pressure. United have won the ball back well thus far and City have not had much of a look in inside the hosts' half.

Sterling aims to stretch United on the left channel, although Jones gets across to make a good interception. City are hustled from the throw and are eventually forced back into their own half. Lots of high pressing from United in these early stages. Van Gaal's men have settled well.

CLOSE! Sterling comes in short to take the ball from Fernandinho, and he lets fly from the edge of the area, leaving a deflection to send the shot away for an away corner. United are able to head clear at the first time of asking, though, and City are forced to start again.

Bony is shuffled off the ball easily just inside the United half, leaving Smalling to try and feed a ball into Rooney, but the pass is overhit and City regain control inside their own area.

YELLOW CARD! Good quality now from Martial and he does Fernandinho like a kipper, causing the midfielder to go into the book. United take the kick quickly and then regain another set-piece just short of the box.

The ball is whipped into Smalling in the middle of the box, but Otamendi does brilliantly to get across his man and head away the danger.

De Bruyne leads City on a positive move down the right and he combines well with Toure to receive the end of a one-two, although his cross into the box is poor and United claim a goal kick.

The Red Devils receive another spell of good possession and they aim to make another move down the left with Rojo, but he cannot keep the ball in despite a strong chest. The hosts soon have the ball down the right with Valencia, who wins a cheap free kick off Kolarov just short of the box.

Mata's ball into the middle is a poor one, and City are able to break away on the counter. Toure finds himself with space inside the box following a flick from De Bruyne, but Rojo is able to make it across in time to prevent the danger and win a goal kick for United.

The hosts enjoy more of the ball through Herrera and he moves towards the box with Mata in his sights. The Spaniard peels around the defender, but his fellow countryman is unable to find the chipped ball required to play him in behind. Rooney is having to go off for a few minutes to deal with a cut on the back of his head following a coming together with Kompany.

City are growing in strength in the final third now and a good ball from Bony finds De Bruyne on the right channel. The midfielder is unable to pick out a man in the middle, however, as Rojo does well to come in and make the challenge.

CLOSE! Wonderful from Martial as he zips past two defenders before finding Mata out wide on the right. The playmaker cuts inside, but is unable to find a ball round the corner for Rooney and City are able to clear. Martial showed great legs there to open things up.

More good control from the hosts sees them switch it to the left for Martial, before it is worked over to Valencia on the right. Rooney is there to cross into the middle for Martial, but Kompany is able to head away the danger.

Schweinsteiger finds himself in a good position just short of the area and he seeks out a clever ball for the run of Mata, but City work things out and get a foot in. Both sides have defended brilliantly so far and there is barely any room on the pitch.

City get the chance to swing a free kick into the box, leaving United to head clear. The hosts cause themselves some trouble by failing to clear their lines and City hold the ball deep inside their half. Bony looks to hold things up, leaving Smalling to steal in.

Strong stuff from City now who come down the left through Fernando, and he picks out a deep cross into the box. Thankfully for United, Schweinsteiger is there to bring the ball down and move his side forward. Jones is then forced to head away for a cheap corner following some poor communication with De Gea. The ball into the middle evades everyone and the danger soon passes. This is really tight.

United finally get some of the ball back as Rooney drops deep into the middle of the pitch. He attempts to pick out a pass deep into the corner for Valencia, only for the striker to overhit things and leave his winger well behind. He will need to do better than that when getting the ball in those kind of positions.

Valencia moves into some space down the right flank and he aims to get beyond his marker, which he does with some ease. He does not bank on Kolarov, though, who is able to steam in and prevent the United man from claiming the ball in a dangerous position.

CLOSE! Rooney breaks forward at great pace and he has Martial in support on his left. The striker opts for the ball too late on and the chance goes by with Martial left ball-watching.

YELLOW CARD! Juan Mata goes into the book as he gives the ball away just short of his box, before bringing down Fernandinho who could have slipped in Bony had the United man not conceded the foul.

Toure is over the kick and he attempts to bend something in down low, leaving the ball to take a deflection off of a United player to give City a corner. Toure meets the ball into the box with his head, and he almost finds the top corner before seeing his attempt fly just wide.

Herrera shows some wonderful intelligence out on the left as buys a cheap free kick off Otamendi. Rooney sends the kick into the box, but City head clear to Valencia. The winger uses too much strength on Kolarov and City grab a free kick of their own. United have failed to do much with their set-pieces thus far.

Schweinsteiger drifts out wide to the left before playing in Rojo. The full-back throws a cross into the middle for Rooney, leaving Otamendi to produce a telling header to stop the striker from getting in. City break away down the right through De Bruyne, who finds Toure with a cut-back into the middle. Fortunately for United, he takes a complete air shot and the chance passes.

YELLOW CARD! Madness from Kompany, who chops Martial down on the left hand side of the box, giving United a great chance for a free kick.

The kick is cleared for a corner, which finds Schneiderlin at the back-post. The knock-down is cleared with ease and City remove the danger.

We have a chess match at Old Trafford - what an intriguing half of football to get things going! This is what you want to see from two top teams: perfection in positioning and standout defending. You get the sense that a mistake or a set-piece might just prove the difference in the second half.

City have appeared perhaps more threatening in the final third of pitch, especially when De Bruyne and Toure get on the ball. As for United, Martial has bought some good free kicks, while Rooney and Mata have looked increasingly dangerous when dropping deep. Van Gaal might want his side to go at City a touch more, though.

United have held 58% possession in the first half, but yet they do not have one single shot to show for it. They will need to do a little more in the final third if they want to take three points from this game. City have been more adventurous only to find United strong at the back. At the moment this is two very well-organised sides cancelling each other out. One goal would change the complexion of proceedings completely. That is ideally what we need!

Martial has been important when he has received the ball, although you could argue that he has still not seen it enough. The winger was able to win a vital free kick on the stroke of half time, leaving Kompany to go into the book. His position on a yellow card could hinder him in the second period and United might look to put him under more pressure. Switching Martial into the middle might just be a masterstroke waiting to happen. He has the potential to cause the centre-backs problems with his pace.

Here is more from my fellow reporter Sian Cowper on how things are developing at Old Trafford this afternoon:

"It probably hasn't been the most thrilling match for the neutrals so far, but both teams will be happy with their defenders in the first 45 minutes, keeping chances to a minimum at both ends of the pitch. A goal early in the second half could really spark this match into life, but it's difficult to see where it could come from."

Like Sian says, a goal would make this encounter a more exciting prospect. City have done well to get forward on the counter, but they have been unable to unlock United, who have had men back in numbers. Sterling has largely been neutralised on the left, while Bony has not had much of the ball inside the area.

KICKOFF! City get things going again, but United win it back in the middle. Herrera finds Martial, who is able to win a corner off Sagna.

The ball into the box is not the best and City are able to scramble the danger away. A flick-on from Rooney almost sets Martial in, but he is in an offside position.

Mata takes the ball from deep and feeds Valencia down the right. Herrera takes it off him and aims to find a quick pass into the middle, leaving City to shuffle across. United go forward again through Rooney's straight run, but they cannot make use of a ball into the box.

United enjoy more possession, and Rojo throws a perfect box into the middle, where nobody has gambled for United and City can marshall the ball back to Hart. Where were Rooney and Herrera there? A cut-back soon finds Herrera again, but City clear for a corner.

CLOSE! The corner comes into Herrera, who is tripped by Sterling and United claim a penalty. The referee awards another corner, however, where Smalling climbs highest at the back post to head straight back across goal, where Schneiderlin is just inches away from tapping the ball into an empty net.

United have started better in the second half and Van Gaal will be pleased with what he has seen. Mata draws out wide on the right, where he is tackled by Otamendi. United continue to probe and a poor ball in behind is easily gathered by Hart.

SUBSTITUTION: Sterling is replaced by Navas, who moves to the right as De Bruyne goes to the left. That change should put Valencia under some more pressure.

Rooney makes a good run over to the left side, where he is well-tackled by Otamendi. United keep up the charge down the left through Martial, whose cross into the box is blocked by Sagna.

United almost get caught short with their line far too high, but Jones reads things well to get in and pass back to De Gea with Bony lurking. Things are just starting to open up a little in this second half.

Martial opens up for the first time in the final period and he aims to get into the box with some neat footwork. Sagna is unmoved, however, and the full-back stands his ground to see Hart gather the loose ball in the City goal.

Schweinsteiger does really well to take the ball down inside the area and beat his marker on the left. The central man drills a across into the area, where Otamendi is left to make a vital interception to concede a corner.

CLOSE! Almost... the ball is cleared and City aim to break, only for Rojo to smash a tackle through beyond the defence and into the path of Mata. Hart is quick off his line, though, and the keeper is able to smother at the crucial moment with the Spaniard almost through on goal.

More possession now for United and it comes again down the left. An attempted ball into the middle drops to Rojo, who sees his deflected shot break for Navas. The defender is soon back into the action as he brings down the winger to prevent the counter.

SUBSTITUTION: Lingard comes into the attack for United in place of Mata, who has largely been ineffectual in the second half.

City do not appear that troubled at the moment and they have been happy to let United hold the ball for much of this period. They will know that they can do some damage on the break. United move the ball around the back now with not much on offer going forward. Lingard soon slips in a perfect ball for Rooney, who then goes for the cut-back, but Kompany does well to recover and prevent the pass inside the area.

Wonderful turn of pace from Lingard as he exchanges with Herrera before moving down the left. He has very few options, though, and City are able to eventually win the ball back. The hosts have had so much of the ball, but again we are still waiting for them to create something.

SUBSTITUTION: Fellaini comes on in place of Schweinsteiger in the middle.

Fellaini drives United forward through the middle and he soon finds Martial down the wing. He beats two men, but cannot find the cross and instead runs the ball out of play. The winger has faded in the second half.

SUBSTITUTION: Toure is replaced by Martin Demichelis as Pellegrini aims to add some defensive quality to his midfield.

City get a good chance to send a ball into the box from a 30-yard free kick, leaving De Bruyne to send his attempt straight into the wall and United are able to clear.

A big blow for United now as the impressive Valencia has gone down off the ball. It looks like his day is over as he now hobbles off. Darmian comes on to replace him at right-back. He will need to keep tight to De Bruyne in the closing minutes.

SHOT! Navas drops off short to collect from De Bruyne and he curls an easy effort straight into the arms of De Gea, who gathers with ease.

SUBSTITUTION: Bony is replaced by young striker Kelechi Iheanacho.

CROSSBAR! Fellaini does really well to win possession in the middle for United, who come forward through Martial. The winger chips the ball over the top for Lingard, who produces another clever flick on the turn to beat Hart, before being denied by the bar.

CLOSE! Iheanacho shows some strength and he almost muscles Jones off the ball, but Rojo is able to break and send the ball away with a vital slide. City are aiming to respond following that Lingard chance. Kolarov swings a standout ball across the face of the box, where Rooney does amazingly well to hold off the forward run of Otamendi, leaving the ball to run clear.

SAVE! Hart keeps City in it... A long ball finds Fellaini at the back-post, who heads down to Smalling. The defender gets a shot away to the bottom corner, leaving Hart to make a standout stop down low to prevent the goal.

City push forward down the left through De Bruyne, although Darmian is equal to him. City win a corner, but United hold firm to send the ball clear.

Three minutes of additional time...

United so unlucky not to take three points from this contest, Lingard might have written himself into the club's folklore but he was denied by the crossbar late on. Van Gaal's side probably edged the game and dominated possession, although they were unable to create much in front of goal.

City will be pleased with picking up a point on their travels and they now move back to the top of the league at the expense of Arsenal. United will be fairly happy given that they produced a solid defensive display, but questions still remain regarding how exactly they are going to be able to break good teams down.

Martial appears like he will be the most likely to do so in the future, and he almost turned the game on its head with his chipped pass into Lingard. In the end, the crossbar has been the difference! That is going to be all from me this afternoon, thank you for joining me.