Sky Sports will show the Manchester derby between Manchester City and Manchester United. We talk about the key battles ahead of the big game.

State of play ahead of kick-off

Ahead of the season's first meeting between the rivals, City and United are separated by five points.

They have won five and lost two of their seven games so far this season, giving them 17 points. After losing their first two games, United have won four of their last five.

City has won 57 times, United has won 77 and there have been 53 draws. In March, the previous meeting ended in a win for City.

City have scored more goals in the league than any other team. Half of those have been scored by Erling Haaland.

The Norway international, who has found the net 14 times in all competition, is likely to face Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez on Sunday. There is no easier test in football than facing the world's most prolific No 9.

Without Haaland, City scored 99 goals in the league to win the title. In March, they hit United for four.

Manchester City forward Erling Haaland has already scored 11 Premier League goals this season
Image: Manchester City forward Erling Haaland has already scored 11 Premier League goals this season

A lot has changed since the beginning of the year. After a disastrous start to the season, the arrival of a new manager and new players has breathed new life into the red side of Manchester. The sudden resurgence of United's form can be traced to Varane and Martinez at the center of their defense.

There has been a lot of attention paid to the fact that he is 5ft 9in. As United kept their first clean sheet of the season against Saints last month, the Argentine won five out of five aerial battles and had a 100 per cent success rate. Varane has looked back to his best form.

They will be looking to strengthen their position as Ten Hag's first-choice defensive duo if they can stop Haaland. The City forward plans to beat them.

Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez have formed an impressive defensive partnership for Manchester United this season
Image: Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez have formed an impressive defensive partnership for Manchester United this season

Scott McTominay's improved performance has contributed to United's upturn in results.

McTominay is Ten Hag's preferred player to protect the back four despite calls from supporters to drop him at the beginning of the season. It's a testament to how well Casemiro is playing that he's still on the bench.

Kevin de Bruyne
Image: Kevin De Bruyne leads the way with six assists in the Premier League so far this season

McTominay has been excellent throughout United's four-game winning run. Trying to stop Kevin De Bruyne is one of the hardest things to do.

City kept their perfect start to the season going with a win over Wolves.

He picked up two assists at Wolves to take his tally in the league to 92, the same number as Steven Gerrard. Six of De Bruyne's seven games this year have been in the league.

Is there a better footballer in the world today? McTominay is facing that.

If you want a more accessible video player, please use the chrome browser.

Wolves vs Man City Highlights
FREE TO WATCH: Highlights of Manchester City's 3-0 win over Wolves in the Premier League on September 17

Grealish to give Dalot reality check?

He is in the form of himself. Under new manager Ten Hag, the Portugal international has held down the position of United's first choice right-back.

He has been an ever present in the league this season and has arguably been United's most improved player. His form has led to talks about a new contract.

Jack Grealish opens the scoring at Molineux
Image: Jack Grealish scored his first goal of the season in Manchester City's 3-0 win over Wolves at Molineux last time out

In Portugal's recent win over the Czech Republic, Dalot scored two goals, but his defensive resolve will be put to the test on Sunday when he faces Jack Grealish.

Grealish has started three games in a row on the left side of City's attack and scored his first goal of the season against Wolves last time out despite admitting he has not been at his best since joining from Villa.

Dalot will need to be prepared for a different type of challenge if he were to take up that position again. His defensive intelligence will be put to the test against someone of Grealish's technical quality, while the marauding runs forward will need to be carried out with more caution.

Dalot, Man Utd
Image: Diogo Dalot is currently Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag's first-choice right-back

Jadon is one of the players benefiting from playing under Ten Hag. In the pre-season, the winger was part of a fluid forward line and has carried that into the new season. He has three goals this year. It took 24 games for him to do that.

The form that persuaded United to pay £73m for him last summer is yet to convince everyone. He wasn't included in the latest England squad for the games against Italy and Germany.

He has one last chance to force the hand of the England coach before the World Cup squad is named. It's possible to get the better of Kyle Walker. It would be hard for the Three Lions boss to ignore such a performance.

Manchester United's Jadon Sancho celebrates scoring against Liverpool at Old Trafford
Image: Jadon Sancho has improved significantly under new Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag

It is an impossible task. The England international has become the best defensive full-back in the world since he joined City. Walker has been described as one of the toughest opponents by all of the players.

Given United's tendency to hit teams on the counter-attack, the battle between the two could be interesting.

Despite scoring against Walker and City in March, he is playing with more confidence under Ten Hag. The fixture on Sunday will show how far he has come.

Man City vs Man Utd: The £1bn showdown

Manchester City vs Manchester United
Image: Man City vs Man Utd is live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event from 1pm on Super Sunday; kick-off 2pm

The first Manchester derby of the season will be shown on Sky Sports this Sunday, but how will the teams fare?

You can watch the Manchester City vs Manchester United game on Sky Sports.