Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the International Champions Cup fixture between Manchester United and Manchester City.

A Manchester derby being played in pre-season is strange enough, but the game taking place in Houston is beyond belief, right? Nope, I'm afraid not. If you're an English football supporter, staying up or getting up at this time most likely feels like a chore but for the American supporters among us, this is your chance to take a look at two of the biggest clubs in the world go toe-to-toe. Forgot that this is part of the International Champions Cup, you are going to get a competitive fixture this evening.

Before we continue, I should probably point out that kickoff is a bit later than initially advertised. I, and the majority of you, were probably thinking that we would be getting underway at 2.30am, BST, but for whatever reason, we will be starting 30 minutes later. Not only does that mean an extra half hour without sleep, it also means that the pre-match chatter and team news will not pick up for the next 20 minutes or so. Stay with us, though - we will be bringing you everything that you need to know right up until kickoff.

Before we get onto all things football, it is important to point out that both teams are taking the opportunity to pay tribute to the 22 people who lost their lives and the hundreds affected by the terror attack on the Manchester Arena on May 22. It was an incident which rocked both a city and a nation but while the clubs remain rivals on the pitch, Manchester comes together and stay together off it.

Always remember. Never forget. #ACityUnited #ManchesterDerby pic.twitter.com/v30FDSvB8c

— Juan Mata García (@juanmata8) 21 July 2017

Right then, I'm assuming you are awaiting some team news? Wait so longer. It is coming right up.

MANCHESTER UNITED XI: De Gea, Valencia, Lindelof, Smalling, Blind, Herrera, Pogba, Rashford, Mkhitaryan, Lingard, Lukaku

MANCHESTER CITY XI: Ederson, Adarabioyo, Kompany, Fernandinho, Yaya Toure, Walker, Foden, De Bruyne, Sterling, Aguero, Roberts

We will start with United, with manager Jose Mourinho opting to go with many of his first-choice players. Aside from Eric Bailly, this is arguably as strong as it can get with both summer signings Victor Lindelof and Romelu Lukaku being included from the opening whistle for the second match in succession and the likes of David de Gea, Ander Herrera, Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford and Henrikh Mkhitaryan also getting the nod.

As for City, I'm not entirely sure which formation Pep Guardiola will use this evening but his side includes both Ederson and Kyle Walker, who have moved to the Etihad Stadium in big-money deals. Star names such as Kevin de Bruyne and Sergio Aguero are also included, as are youngsters Tosin Adarabioyo and Phil Foden. It's a massive occasion for the pair, one which they will want to take full advantage off.

It goes without saying that there will be mass substitutions throughout the contest. Mourinho has openly spoke about trying to give most of his starting lineup at least an hour, while it may be a little less for City who are taking part in their first pre-season fixture. The mixture of experience and youth may indicate that they will field a completely different team in the second half.

This match is being staged at the NRG Stadium, which boasts a capacity of nearly 72,000 people. Over the years, it has staged as many as 25 football matches, with all but one of those being an international fixture. The sole club encounter came back in 2010 when United registered a 5-2 victory over the MLS All-Stars. On that occasion, young United striker Federico Macheda picked up the man of the match award! How times have changed.

As has been pointed out above, this is United's third match on their tour of the United States and they have already recorded wins over both LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake. The first contest - a 5-2 victory over LA Galaxy - saw United lead 5-0 at one stage before they conceded two goals during the closing stages, but they were pushed all the way in the second by a RSL outfit who had opened the scoring. Goals from Mkhitaryan and Lukaku turned things around but it represented a solid workout for Mourinho's side, even if he would not have been convinced by the performance.

During the Real Salt Lake game, Antonio Valencia was given a straight red card but that has not led to any suspension ahead of this contest. If anything, it effectively guaranteed the right-back a start in this match after only being on the pitch for 23 minutes. I'm sure someone on the United backroom staff will be having a word in his ear before this match.

Naturally, Ederson and Walker are the names which stand out in the City starting lineup, but Patick Roberts also deserves a mention. The English winger is back at the club having spent the last 18 months with Celtic and while another loan deal elsewhere is expected, he has the opportunity to impress Guardiola. He has never made a competitive start for City so he cannot afford to let this opening go begging.

Not a bad setting for a friendly match, huh?

In position! #MUTOUR pic.twitter.com/RDDWO5G7Z9 — Manchester United (@ManUtd) 20 July 2017

PREDICTION! It's never easy trying to predict the final result in a friendly match, but we are going to give it a go. Based on United's superior fitness, we have to go with them and we think they will run out rather convincing winners. City have the quality in their side to make up for this being their first outing of pre-season, but we are going to go with a 3-1 win for United.

In theory, the two teams should be heading out onto the pitch any minute now. However, they were late when United played RSL so I'm not sure whether that was a one-off or whether that was how they do things in the USA. Hopefully it is the former - I have rambled on long enough.

Turns out it will be a 3.05am, BST, kickoff time. Stay patient, folks.

The teams are making their way out in Houston. It's an impressive turnout at the NRG Stadium. I'd say we are almost at capacity.

City get us underway.

I suspected that City may play with three at the back, but no. Fernandinho is playing at left-back. The pursuit of Benjamin Mendy continues...

SHOT! Unsurprisingly, United have made the better start and it's Herrera who gets the first real shot on goal. However, Ederson makes an instant impression in the City goal to tip the midfielder's shot over the crossbar.

SHOT! It's a decent response from City, who give Sterling the chance to do his thing on the left but after cutting inside onto his stronger right foot, his eventual shot is easily saved by De Gea.

Blind can play in a number of positions but right now, he is causing plenty of problems down the left flank for Walker. His cross into the penalty area is intended for Lukaku, but Ederson manages to get there ahead of the forward.

Slowly but surely, City are starting to get on top and given that this is their first showing in pre-season, they are passing the ball about nicely. Youngster Foden is having an impact, too, which will no doubt impress boss Guardiola.

There's a lot to like about this match so far, especially for this stage of pre-season. City will be encouraged by how their players have started, but they have perhaps been told that they will only be on the pitch for the first half, giving them more licence to throw everything at the opening 45 minutes.

SHOT! Mkhitaryan has looked sharp since the moment pre-season began and he shows another sign of getting up to speed ahead of the new campaign with a good effort which is saved by Ederson. The Portuguese stopper has looked pretty assured so far.

SHOT! While United's main threat is coming through Mkhitaryan, Sterling has been superb for City and once again, he cuts inside onto his right foot before forcing a save out of De Gea. The Spaniard was made to work more than his previous intervention but he still dealt with the strike relatively comfortably.

SHOT! Speculative efforts seem to be the order of the night in Houston. It's Pogba's turn from a long-range free kick but Ederson made an easy save.

CHANCE! It's difficult to say whether City's performance is a result of a more measured approach to pre-season or whether United are lagging after three games in less than a week. An error at the back allows City's Roberts to capitalise but just as he looks about ready to get a shot on goal, he gives Smalling enough time to make the challenge.

At a time when City were just getting on top, United take the lead thanks to £75m man Lukaku. A long ball releases Lukaku and after he does brilliantly to get ahead of Ederson, he produces an even better finish from an acute angle to find the back of the net. So far, it's looking like a good move for the Belgian...

In a flash, United double their advantage. After witnessing strike partner Lukaku get on the scoresheet, Rashford follows suit with a confident finish into the corner after Mkhitaryan had played a key role in a counter-attack. It's a long way back for City from here.

SHOT! City are still having their fair share of joy when they go forward but on this occasion, Foden sees a well-struck effort dealt with by De Gea.

BOOKINGS! We've had a couple of bookings in the past few minutes, one for either side. Firstly, Toure was cautioned for fouling Mkhitaryan, before Blind cynically pulled back Roberts.

The half-time whistle goes in Houston and United lead thanks to goals from Lukaku and Rashford. City have played their part in a very entertaining half of football, but United's superior sharpness told in the closing stages of that half. The main bright sparks for City have been Foden and Roberts, who are doing well after being given an opportunity by Guardiola.

The two teams have made their way back out for the second half. There have been a whole host of changes. We will have to catch up as the second half plays out!

United get us back underway.

In total, United have made four alterations and City have made eight. Eliaquim Mangala and Samir Nasri are among the replacements for City.

It would be harsh on City if they went on to lose this match by more than a couple of goals but in all honesty, you can see it happening. They were sluggish at the start but you have to say that United look in good shape with at least three more weeks still to go until the start of the Premier League.

SAVE! This is going down as a save rather a chance. Rashford's over-hit cross appears destined for the far top corner but Ederson gets back to keep the ball out. I'm not sure he is worth £34m just yet, but he's showing all the qualities expected of him.

WOODWORK! What a strike from Lukaku. From 20 yards out, he lets one fly towards goal but despite Ederson being beaten, his effort hits the crossbar.

BOOKING! It's Rashford versus Mangala on the right flank. It has taken 10 minutes for the defender - who is much more comfortable at centre-back - to pick up a booking.

We are an hour through this game and it's worth noting that 17-year-old City midfielder Foden remains on the pitch. His team might be losing, but this has been an appearance to remember from the youngster.

SUBSTITUTIONS! More alterations from United, though. Carrick, Fellaini and Martial replace Herrera, Mkhitaryan and Rashford.

SHOT! Pogba is one of the players to be given much longer than an hour in the match and he almost adds himself to the scoresheet, only to see his instinctive effort go into the side-netting.

We have not reached the levels of the first half, but this remains a lively encounter. I don't think City are capable of turning things around to gain a draw in this contest but if they can end the match on top, it would at least represent some kind of moral victory for Guardiola.

Romero hasn't had much to do since being introduced as a replacement for De Gea but he puts his side in trouble with a punch which falls to a City player. Fortunately for the Argentine, the shot is sent over.

SUBSTITUTION! Foden finally makes way for Zinchenko. It's still extremely early days but we may have witnessed the birth of a star tonight.

Lukaku has the ball in the net for the second time this evening, but he is adjudged to be offside. It looked to be the correct decision.

Less than 10 minutes to go in Houston now. It looks like both teams are starting to wind down a certain extent.

SHOT! Fernandinho has this strike in his locker and it almost leads to him halving City's deficit. His 25-yard strike is well tipped over by Romero.

The full-time whistle goes in Houston and United have had little problem in holding on for a 2-0 victory. Lukaku and Rashford netted in quick succession during the first half and there was realistically only going to be one winner.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this game. Thank you for joining us and we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye for now.