Manchester unites for derby day

The 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster will add another layer of emotion to the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on an intriguing Sunday which also pits Chelsea FC against Liverpool FC.

Replica kit
Manchester United FC will wear a 1958 replica kit, and Manchester City FC – whose former goalkeeper Frank Swift died in the crash which killed eight Busby Babes while working as a reporter – a one-off strip bereft of a sponsor. Having drawn 1-1 at Tottenham Hotspur FC last week to relinquish pole position in the Premier League to Arsenal FC, United can reclaim it with victory against a stumbling City side, before the Gunners welcome Blackburn Rovers FC on Monday.

Stylish victory
United were beaten 1-0 by their Manchester rivals earlier this season, one of only three league defeats, but have not lost to the Sky Blues at home since a 1-0 reverse in 1974 which helped relegate them. With just two points dropped at Old Trafford this term, Sir Alex Ferguson is justifiably confident. "Obviously the way the team is performing at the moment, and the squad we have got, gives you that confidence," he said. "These players have a great team spirit among them. They're hungry players, they never give in as they demonstrated last Saturday at Tottenham. These are fantastic qualities to take into the second half of the season."

Eriksson praise
City manager Sven-Göran Eriksson, who could give a debut to striker Benjani Mwaruwari after the Zimbabwean finally completed his transfer from Portsmouth FC, said: "We haven't played at our best in the last two or three games, and it is time we got back to that to get something from the game on Sunday. United did not start this season so well but now they are playing brilliant football. Either United or Arsenal will win the league, without a doubt."

Chelsea in contention
Wenger disagrees, despite Chelsea slipping six points behind his Arsenal team by drawing at Portsmouth last week. "I don't rule out Chelsea because they have to play at home against Man United and Arsenal," he said. "They have already put wins together when they have had players out. I don't think we can rule them out. It will be among these three." As they lie 17 points behind Arsenal and eleven adrift of third-placed Chelsea, Liverpool's main priority will be to unseat neighbours Everton FC, who host Reading FC on Saturday, from the final UEFA Champions League qualifying position.