FA Cup preview : Manchester City vs Manchester United

After such a promising revival mission after that shocking defeat to Man City back in October, United’s form has taken a bump after two consecutive defeats against Newcastle and Blackburn.

Some people feel that probably the hardest place to travel to is the Etihad stadium at this time, and it has not come at a good time for United. City come into the game off the back of a 3-0 win against Liverpool at home. The Citizens are unbeaten at home this season, and have won the last 18 games at the Etihad stadium.

United still have plenty of injury problems to deal with, with Nemanja Vidic, Tom Cleverley and Darren Fletcher definitely out. Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling could play a part but there are major doubts over both players’ fitness.

City are without a few key players themselves with Mario Balotelli out with an ankle injury and Gareth Barry is suspended for his red card against Liverpool in midweek. City SHOULD also be without the Toure brothers, Yaya and Kolo. The Ivory Coast internationals are due in Abu Dhabi for a training camp ahead of the African Cup of Nations. However, Roberto Mancini hopes to play them tomorrow, before giving them permission to leave. Sir Alex Ferguson also said that he wouldn’t be surprised if Yaya plays on Sunday.

Last time these two teams met United were handed a beating at Old Trafford with City coming out on top by 6 goals to one. Last time these two sides met in the FA Cup, City knocked out their rivals at Wembley, Yaya Toure the scorer in the Semi Final.

Probable teams for Sunday:

Manchester United

Lindegaard, Rafael, Ferdinand, Smalling/Evans, Evra, Valencia, Jones, Carrick, Nani, Rooney, Welbeck.

Manchester City

Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, K.Toure, Clichy, De Jong, Y.Toure, Milner, Silva, Johnson, Aguero