Manchester United and Manchester City may well be a fierce rivalry. But when they square off on Sunday, the rivalry will take a backseat. What will be front and center is the fact that City is the better club. When the game is over, the scoreboard will reflect that.
City has had its problems this season, losing matches against inferior teams. But those matches have been on the road. When the Blues have taken the field at the City of Manchester Stadium, they have been nothing short of dominant all year.
Don't expect that to change on Sunday. City has too many weapons for United to key on. Focusing on Sergio Aguero will result in Edin Dzeko and the rest of City's loaded team taking advantage of the open space. Conversely, Aguero can absolutely burn his opponent if he's given room to work with.
United doesn't have that edge going for them now. They have a lot of talent, but also have too much uncertainty running up and down the squad. At home, they would be in a much better spot. But in hostile territory, there's just too much uncertainty around the team. Namely, there's too much of a question mark as to how one player will be used.
Wayne Rooney
Which Wayne Rooney will show up? More importantly, which one will be allowed to show up? City has more depth anyway and will win the match in either regard, but if Rooney is allowed to roam free, the chance of an upset certainly goes up.
But that's the problem. City knows that. More importantly, United doesn't have the overall squad to take advantage of the open spaces that will be created with Rooney being targeted. Not when they're going to be expected to outscore a team like City.
No, look for some back-and-forth action early in this. United will not be shut out. But by the time the game is over, City will be the clearly superior team. The scoreboard will reflect that.