Man City vs Man Utd LIVE: Result, final score and reaction as Erling Haaland scores another hat-trick

Man City XI: Ederson, Walker, Akanji, Ake, Cancelo, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden, Haaland, Grealish

Man Utd XI: De Gea, Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Malacia, McTominay, Eriksen, Antony, Fernandes, Sancho, Rashford

Manchester City’s clinical striker, Erling Haaland, says he is excited to play his first every Manchester derby and wants to make the City supporters proud this afternoon.

“It means so much to all of the supporters and as a fan I know that,” he explained. “We want to make them proud on Sunday.

“We know it is going to be a tough game, but I am excited to play in this derby. It is another game, but I also know that derby games are so much more intense.

“These games mean everything to the fans. It is the first time I have played in the Manchester derby after watching so many on TV with my father and I cannot wait.

“It will be a special moment for me. I haven’t spoken to my father [former City midfielder Alf-Inge Haaland] about this game, but I know he will be in the stands watching.”

Manchester City could win eight consecutive top-flight home games whilst scoring at least three times in each victory - a feat last achieved by Tottenham in 1965.

City have scored 10 first-half goals and 13 second-half goals in the Premier League this season - Manchester United have eight in total.

Summer signing Christian Eriksen already feels at home at Manchester United and cannot wait for his first taste of the city’s derby this Sunday.

After a pair of postponements following the Queen’s death, Erik ten Hag’s side will make the short trip to neighbours Manchester City to play their first Premier League match since September 4.

It will be a maiden Manchester derby for United’s manager and players like Eriksen, who has flourished since joining on a deal until 2025 following the expiration of his short-term contract at Brentford.

This is one of the more intriguing Manchester derbies of recent times. Manchester City continue to be a dominant force of nature but Erik ten Hag finally has Manchester United winning again and he’ll want to continue that progress at the Etihad today.

Manchester City could win three consecutive league games against United for the first time since a run of four between April 2013 and November 2014.

United are in danger of suffering their 18th Premier League loss against City - it would equal their highest number of defeats against a specific opponent (matching their totals against Liverpool and Chelsea).

This Premier League fixture has been won 21 times by the respective away side - no other match has produced more victories for the away team.

Erik ten Hag believes Manchester United remain an attractive prospect for top players – and already boast some of the best talent in the world.

The Old Trafford giants are in the midst of a rebuild in the wake of a wretched season that saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s interim replacement Ralf Rangnick flounder as the side stumbled home sixth.

That miserable run continued in the first two matches of Ten Hag’s reign but the United boss has overseen an impressive turnaround since, with new signings make a promising start to life in the north west.

The Red Devils are aiming for a fifth straight Premier League win on Sunday when they travel to rivals Manchester City, whose striker Erling Haaland has hit the ground running since arriving from Borussia Dortmund.

Manchester City defender John Stones is unavailable after he was forced off the pitch with a hamstring issue when playing for England during the international break.

Fellow centre-back Aymeric Laporte has returned to training but isn’t expected to be up the match fitness for today’s game.

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire also misses out with a hamstring injury sustained on international duty and manager Erik ten Hag faces a late call to see if Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford are fit enough to start.

Hello and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of Sunday’s Manchester derby. Erik ten Hag gets his first experience of the Manchester derby as he takes his Red Devils over to the Etihad to take on Pep Guardiola’s Premier League champions.

September was a great month for Man Utd who won their last four league fixtures and shot up the table from 20th to 5th. They are still nine points behind league leaders Arsenal but could move into the top four with a victory today.

City meanwhile are the only team left in the league to remain unbeaten since the start of the season. They’ve ‘stumbled’ twice with two draws from the opening seven games which leaves them trailing the Gunners by four points although they have played one game fewer.

Victory over United will put them back within one point of first place and there is the added benefit of getting one over their city rivals. Which team will come out on top today?