Manchester derby on the way to becoming 'biggest game in the world"

Sir Alex Ferguson's interpretation of the Liverpool vs. Manchester United match being the biggest club game in the world raised eyebrows, not least from those in Madrid and Barcelona. The game itself failed to live up to its billing, a stagnant first half not helped by United's negative set-up and in the end United were the happier of the two teams to come away with a point.

However perhaps the closest challenge to the United juggernaut this season comes closer from home; in the form of Mancini's Manchester City. With both of their key strikers back from injury and back to scoring ways mid-week, the showdown between Rooney and Aguero is one that promises much for football fans.

Much has been made of the excellent form of both sides and their unbeaten domestic starts, though if anything City are the side who look to have the edge in terms of performances this season. Roberto Mancini's apparent change of identity and nationality has seen him abandon his more cautious approaches last year and really attack teams. Although with a front five of Aguero, Dzeko, Nasri, Silva and Balotelli any other approach would be a gigantic misappropriation of talent.

After a bold start United's last few performances suggests that the youth and vigour that enhanced the team early on has either been sussed out by other teams or has inevitably slowed. After steam-rollering Spurs, Bolton and Arsenal (who were then beaten by bottom of the table Blackburn) the levels of performance have dropped slightly.

A 3-1 win over Chelsea disguised the fact that United were outplayed for large chunks of the game at Old Trafford and Chelsea were unlucky to not come away with at least a point. The 2-0 victory over Norwich was also far from clear-cut, Norwich created a hat-ful of chances against the defending champions and ought to have scored at least once and truly threatened United.

Performances in Europe have also been far from dynamic with two draws and a win as United just about produced the bare minimum to take something from the game. Followed up with a lucky draw at Anfield and on paper City head into this years first derby as the in-form team. What does remain in doubt is how City handle the biggest of occasions, of which this Sundays match is. United are infamous for eking out results when not playing brilliantly and are well schooled in how to handle the big occasions, how City handle this seasons biggest occasion will determine how the game pans out; here's hoping for a seven goal thriller rather than a classic show-piece in Italian defending.