Rooney or Tevez? Carrick or Barry? Man City v Man United – player for player

As a global audience in excess of 650 million prepare themselves for the biggest Manchester derby in history, talkSPORT takes a look at tonight's likely line-ups and attempts to decide which team boasts the upper hand in terms of individual talent...

Joe Hart v David De Gea
David De Gea has recovered from a shaky start to Premier League life with some outstanding performances, the self-confessed turning point instigated by an outstanding acrobatic finger tips save at Stamford Bridge in February. Joe Hart, by contrast, has been incredible throughout, a candidate for player of the season, pulling off several world class saves - notably against Liverpool in November - to keep Man City in the title hunt.
Joe Hart: 9/10
David De Gea: 8/10

Gael Clichy v Patrice Evra
Evra has experienced four title winning campaigns at United, while Clichy is close to enduring a decade of disappointment following a solitary crown with Arsenal, in 2004. There isn't a great deal to pick them apart otherwise - both have enjoyed solid if unspectacular seasons overshadowed by Everton's brilliant Leighton Baines.
Gael Clichy: 7/10
Patrice Evra: 7/10

Micah Richards v Chris Smalling
A centre-back by trade, Smalling may get the nod ahead of Phil Jones and Rafael at right-back, with the Brazilian awful against Everton at Old Trafford last week. It's an area Roberto Mancini will be eager to exploit given City's latin flair in attack. City's vice-captain Micah Richards, inconceivably overlooked by Fabio Capello, must be wondering what he needs to do in order to earn international recognition. Superb defensively and powerful going forward, Richards should be a dead cert for England's Euro 2012 squad.
Micah Richards: 8/10
Chris Smalling: 7/10

Vincent Kompany v Rio Ferdinand
Arguably City's most important player, their captain and leader, Vincent Kompany was incorrectly dismissed when the two sides met in the FA Cup earlier this season. Only Nemanja Vidic, who misses out through injury, can lay claim to being a more complete centre-back, while Ferdinand, though more impressive than he was earlier this year, has lost a yard of pace and enjoyed far better years.
Vincent Kompany: 9/10
Rio Ferdinand: 8/10

Joleon Lescott v Johnny Evans
There were fears for Man United's defensive solidity when a nasty Nemanja Vidic injury against Basel ruled him out until next season. The idea of Johnny Evans stepping in was met, presumably, with a collective sinking of hearts in Manchester's red half, but the Northern Irishman has been relatively steady. The same can be said for Lescott at Man City, who is an accomplished defender even though there is better value to be had for £22m.
Joleon Lescott: 7/10
Johnny Evans: 7/10

Samir Nasri v Ashley Young
For all the penalty box theatrics, it's easy to forget that Young poses a genuine threat going forward and not only because he's likely to win a penalty. A respectable five goals and seven assists in 20 league games is testament to an impressive debut campaign while Nasri, who's played an extra eight times, has the same goal tally and two more assists. The Frenchman is technically superior, yet Young offers more pace and certainly more consistency this season.
Samir Nasri: 7/10
Ashley Young: 8/10

Gareth Barry v Michael Carrick
Like Micah Richards, it beggars belief that Michael Carrick is so often overlooked by England. As Man United's unsung hero, he links play between defence and midfield, allowing Paul Scholes to venture foward and has contributed with the odd goal, too. Barry, the man keeping him out of England's reckoning, has been dragged off by Mancini far too often this year following typically pedestrian displays.
Gareth Barry: 7/10
Michael Carrick: 8/10

Yaya Toure v Paul Scholes
Two very different world class midfielders at constrasting stages of their careers, with equally crucial roles to play in the Etihad derby. Toure drives City forward with his energy and power, Scholes likewise for United with a superb range of passing and guile. Scholes, who's campaign kicked-off in January, still managed to come second in the Football Writers' Player of the Year gong last week.
Yaya Toure: 9/10
Paul Scholes: 9/10

Carlos Tevez v Wayne Rooney
There's no doubting City are more formidable when Carlos Tevez fancies a game, as he has done recently following a golfing sabbatical. The former team-mates, operating in similar roles, go head-to-head tonight with Rooney in scintillating form and Tevez arriving off the back of four goals in three games for City - there really is no separating these two at the moment.
Carlos Tevez: 9/10
Wayne Rooney: 9/10

David Silva v Antonio Valencia
Silva began the season at his majestic best, carving back lines open with his precision passing and splendid vision, while Valencia has grown into one of Man United's most important players, scoring crucial goals at Arsenal and Blackburn. Valencia is more methodical and consistent, Silva more gifted but sometimes guilty of going missing. They top the Premier League's assists tally along with Juan Mata, with 13 each this term.
David Silva: 8/10
Antonio Valencia: 8/10

Sergio Aguero v Danny Welbeck
It was incredibly harsh when Aguero was excluded from the PFA's team of the season after 22 goals in his first Premier League campaign. Overlooked also for the Player of the Year trophy and pipped by Kyle Walker to this year's young player award, Aguero has been City outstanding forward throughout a goal crazy campaign. Welbeck, two years Aguero's junior has impressively dislodged Chicharito in Man United's starting XI but lacks the goal tally to compliment his clever link up play.
Sergio Aguero: 9/10
Danny Welbeck: 8/10

Man City: 89/110
Man United: 87/110

Prediction: Man City 2-1 Man United

Who do you think will come out on top in tonight's top of the table clash? Let us know by leaving a comment below...