Manchester United against Manchester City

Ireland, Dunne and Ball combine to hassle and pressure and clear the danger posed by Ronaldo.

Petrov has kicked his last ball today, he is subbed by City. Replacing him is Javier Garrido - another defender to stem any late attacks from United down the City left.

Vidic has been thrown up front as an auxiliary striker such is the United desperation.

The name of Frank Swift is chanted by the City fans. Swift was amongst the journalists who died in the Munich Air Disaster; He was formerly a Manchester City and England goalkeeper.

City say thank you and goodnight to Hamann, who looks rather tired. On in his place is Sun Jihai.

Nos uch defeatism for the United players who are fighting still. Another corner, but another defensive mastercalss from Ball; he heads clear.

The only voices to be heard coming from the stands are from the City fans 'We can see you sneaking out' they goad as a few United sense defeat and seek to beat the rush at the final whistle.

United win a corner; Ronaldo takes quick but Dunner reads it and beats Scholes to the ball. Well defended.

United are now playing a very high line - Vidic and Ferdinand the only defenders in their half, with Brown and makeshift man Giggs all advanced. United are pressing, but will they be caught quick-break?

The attendance is called by the United PA as being 75,970. How many thought this would be the scoreline with 10 minutes to go?

Giggs lashes a ball across the box; all it need was a touch, but one was not forthcoming.

Case in point: Onouha heads a tricky ball into touch; playing the percentage to deny United.

To a man the City defence has been superb. Ball, Onouha, Richards, Dunne and Hart all excellent - to be fair Dunne looks exhausted now, but he's led the team and his defence brilliantly.

A change for City. Benjani leaves to applause from the City fans, a debut to remember. On comes another new signing Felipe Caicedo... no, me neither.

With Saha injured, Rooney suspended United forward line is looking a little under-powered. Tevez is grafting hard, but as a lone striker, as he is now, he is isolated and struggling.

Anderson left to warm applause, O'Shea to something more akin to apathy.

Here come Carrick and Hargreaves. Joining the game for O'Shea and Anderson.

More changes coming from United.

Less than 20 minutes to go and a shock is on the cards. It will be a late comeback if it arrives; City have been comfortable this half.

Richards keeps his composure to tackle Tevez in the penalty area - a tricky customer well handled.

Ireland is having a good game for City. Winning balls he has no right to, covering plenty of the pitch, linking up well, playing the sensible ball, and creating a few openings. What more could you want?

Now United have a corner of their own. The ball is played back to Park who lashes shot high and wide.

Nothing comes from City's corners this time, as United break.

City are in no rush to take them, but the ref shows his watch to the players and the crowd: 'No time wasting, please.'

Now Brown concedes another - three in a row for City.

Vidic concedes two corners in succession.

Nothing comes from the corner so Ferdinand has a wasted journey and now has to trot back the length of the pitch.

Brown with a weak cross into the box, he find Park who uses his strength to find Scholes. He works an opening which ends with Dunne conceding a corner.

Park Ji Sung is on and Nani, who has been ineffectual this half, is off.

Movement on the United bench; a change is in the offing.

Ronaldo, looks a frustrated soul, but he's just craked a shot from range and it wasn't too far wide. Underestimate him at your peril.

You can't fault Anderson; his effort and application have been spot on. Except for that foul throw earlier on. He's quick, has his head up and is not afraid to have a shot.

Copying Ball, now Onuoha shackles Ronaldo. The Portuguese is not happy.

City heap the pressure on United, with Petrov ending a bright move by lashing a left foot drive wide of the goal.

We're approaching the hour and United are still 2-0 down. This really wann't in the script. Not even the first draft.

Ball with a great block to deny Ronaldo's cross into the box after a quick break from United featuring Giggs and Tevez.

Foul by O'Shea on Vassell. A typically clumsy moment from the Irishman. Yellow card.

Anderson plays a low, fast defence splitting ball through the City back line. Onlt problem is no United players are there.

Tevez puts the ball in the net, but the goal won't stand; the flag is up.

Ronaldo too is rattled. He just wasted a opportunity to put City under press by ballooning his pass long. Rather than battle back he had a little tantrum. Useless - get back into the game.

O'Shea is having a truly mediocre day at the office; summing up United game as a whole.

A moment earlier Richards was alert to the threat of Ronaldo and got a vital tackle on the attacker

Brace keeping from Hart diving at the feet of Vidic to smother the ball after a back-heel through pass from Ronaldo

And more rubbish from United as Nani takes a foul throw. It's the second of the game from United, Anderson the earlier offender. Foul thorws from professionals? Please.

O'Shea plays a shockingly bad return pass to Anderson who was on a charging run.

Vassell, Fernandes, and Onouoha work some neat trinagle passes to work an openeing for Ireland. Really intricate, tricky stuff from City - top marks.

Ronaldo and Nani need to get into wide positions; City are winning the midfield battle and the ball is being stopped.

Superb work from Petrov to tackle Brown in an advance position, the winger then combined with Irealnd to spark a break

Ball working the left flank for City - nice link-up work with Petrov

United really could do with out conceding early here.

Hamann test Van der Sar with a stinging drive from distance. The keeper was up to it, but what a striker.

Untied's ears no doubt ringing with some fairly forthright feedback from Mr Ferguson!

Right, we're back underway at Old Trafford.

City made the breakthrough and then doubled their advantage. This was most certainly not in the script!

And that's half time. What a scoreline!!?

Anderson tries to slip a ball in to Tevez, but he put too much on it.

Hamann this time wins the ball, but a foul is given. United take the kick quickly but fail to make it count.

Richards is limping, looks like he took a knock to his leg, during the goal-mouth scramble in the lead-up to the goal.

Ferguson does not look amused.

Benjani has headed a debut goal in the derby to make it 2-0 on the cusp of halftime. He was unmarked as the ball was floated back in after the initial corner kick was headed clear.

United fail to clear and United concede a second!!!

Another corner to City.

Fernandes clips Van der Sar after trying to latch onto a through ball from Petrov. United a little slow in defence today. Corner to City.

Hamann still throwing his lanky frame about, this time clashing with Scholes - no shrinking violet himself.

O'Shea cheekily wins a throw off City by kicking the ball off Onouha - he mighth ave been trying to beat the player, but he got away with it. Luck of the Irish and all that...

Petrov whips in City first corner of the day, but it is cleared long and the moves breaks down.

Ferdinand concedes a corner under close scrutiny from Benjani.

City have riased their game today; they are four games without a win and were outclassed by Arsenal last week, but this is a derby and that can do funny things.

Only two away wins in the Premier League this season for City, both against Uniteds, West Ham and Newcastle. Can they make it a three today against another United?

The game getting stretched as the City try to counter-attack after soaking a spell of intense United pressure.

United aim the corner at Vidic, but it drops and a shot ricochets out. The home side call for another corner, but there's nothing doing.

Corner to Untied after Dunne deflects a low Ronaldo drive away fom goal; the City defender was lucky he had no idea where the ball was going!

Neat play from City who only lose the ball in the final third as a ball from Benjani slipped towards Vassell is cut out. Good stuff from the visitors.

Ronaldo tried to repeat the freekick he scored against Portsmouth a few weeks ago; the ball went up, but didn't come down. Goal-kick.

Hamman fouls Tevez and United have a freekick. Giggs and Ronaldo stand over it, 30 yards out to the right of the goal.

City waste the ball trying to be too intricate with their passing

Under pressure from City Anderson and O'Shea struggle to find space from a throw-in and lose the ball

The City scorer is back on, running a little gingerly

Vassell is down and getting treatment after an awkward fall after jumping with O'Shea

Although under pressure from the outset City got back into the game from around the 20-minute mark and deserve their lead. But they are under pressure now as United seek to get back into the game.

Vassell's goal was only the fourth goal United have conceded at home in the league this season.

A tremendous save from Joe Hart to deny Tevez who turned and volleyed a great shot on the City goal.

And one for all you stat fans, in every league game Vassell has scored he has never lost.

Vassell celebrates his 50th Premier League goal, his first shot was saved by Van der Sar, but he made no mistake with the second. Petrov split the defence with a clever ball, but United will be unhappy that the rebound went straight to Vassell.

Goal for City! What did I tell you!

United have won their lost 12 home games in succession; so City will have their work cut out today.

Play back underway and a shaken Hamann gets back to work

A clash of heads between Dunne and Hamann leaves the German midfielder groggy and on the deck.

Gelson Fernandes, or Fernandes Gelson, or Gelso, or Fernandes - whatever you want to call him clipped in a wonderful ball from the right. Only Ferdinand's header denied Benjani a chance on goal.

Good work from Benjani, showing his strength to hold off Ferdinand, keep posession and feed the ball wide.

Anderson with a poor ball to no-one. High standards so far for both sides, but that was a wasted ball.

City have been a little lucky with the ref, a handball, a nasty foul and a pen shout all largely ignored.

Ronaldo in a shout for a penalty after Hamann appears to foul the United livewire in the box. Referee Webb not interested.

A possible handball by Richards is missed by the ref, and now Nani is down injured after a 50-50 ball is challenged by Hamann; the German's studs ended up in Nani's rear, which must have twinged.

An un-marked Ireland gets his head to another cross from the left. He should have got it on target, but a good move.

Important tackle from Dunne to deny Tevez a shot on goal after Giggs and Ronaldo linked up with some wonderful movement and one-tocuh football to create the opening.

Petrov tries his luck with a 25-yard drive after a decent spell of pressure. The shot was over the bar, but City are getting back into the game after early dominance from United.

First half chance for City as a decent ball is drifted in from the left. Gelson was out-jumped by Ferdinand, but it was a threat.

O'Shea hooks a long ball forward, hoping to find the City defenders napping; but the step up and Hart gathers the ball.

A charging run from Ireland ends with a fairly ridiculous ball to no-one. The space opened in front of him, but Ireland lost his cool a little.

Benjani is very isolated at the moment as City players like Ireland and Gelson get caught up in the struggle for the ball in midfield. They'll need to support the lone man to stand a chance today.

Nothing comes from United's smartly-taken corner and City counter.

Giggs unleashes a venomous volley from a tight angle after smart work from Nani and Tevez who worked the cross.

Neat footwork from Van der Sar playing himself and United out of slight danger with some quick thinking.

Tevez drops deep and starts to pull the strings, picking out Brown on the overlap - plenty of movement to worry to City backline.

United do look rather good in these special sponsor-free shirts of United red. White shorts and black socks complete the retro outfit.

Hamann links up with Onuoha on the right flank for City, but United repel the attack

A thundering challenge from Brown on Petrov welcomes the City man to the derby by dumping him on his backside

A spell of early pressure from United, Nani involved down the right.

United line up in a 4-4-2, skippered by Giggs. City are formed in a more defensive 4-5-1 with new boy Benjani the man on point.

Referee Howard Webb from South Yorkshire blows his whistle and the game is finally underway.

An more emotional start to a game I have never known.

It gives me great pleasure to report that despite concerns the silence was observed impeccably by both sets of fans.

The two managers lay wreaths on the centre spot to great applause. And the minute's silence begins...

The remaining survivors of the crash in Munich and the families of those who lost their lives are in the stadium to witness the game as the players and the mascots take their positions around the centre circle.

The players of both clubs, in their special shirts are in the tunnel. A lone piper playing 'The Red Flag' leads out the two sides on to the pitch.

As the crowd sing the names of the 23 who died on February 6, 1958, are on the advertising boards around the pitch.

And for Man City: Hart, Onuoha, Richards, Dunne, Ball, Vassell, Ireland, Hamann, Gelson, Petrov, Mwaruwari. The subs: Isaksson, Geovanni, Jihai, Caicedo, Garrido.

The news is in. Lining up 1 to 11 for United are: Van der Sar, Brown, Vidic, Ferdinand, O'Shea, Nani, Scholes, Anderson, Giggs, Ronaldo, Tevez. And the Subs: Kuszczak, Simpson, Hargreaves, Park, Carrick.

Wonderful scenes inside the stadium as the fans begin to sing; United supporters wearing simple red and white scarves given to them by the club and the City fans in similar blue and white scarves, again given by the Old Trafford club.

And once the ceremonial aspects of fixture have been observed there is the small matter of a Manchester derby to look forward to. You can follow it all here from 13.30 GMT.

It will be an emotional day, with both sets of players wearing special shirts in the style of those worn 50 years ago. There will also be wreaths laid in tribute to 23 who lost their lives, and a minute's silence.

This afternoon Old Trafford, Manchester United, Manchester City and football fans the world over will get the opportunity to pay their respects to the Busby Babes and the 15 others who died in the Munich Air Disaster 50 years ago.

With Saha injured, Rooney suspended United forward line is looking a little under-powered. Tevez is grafting hard, but as a lone striker, as he is now, he is isolated and struggling.

Anderson left to warm applause, O'Shea to something more akin to apathy.

Here come Carrick and Hargreaves. Joining the game for O'Shea and Anderson.

More changes coming from United.

Less than 20 minutes to go and a shock is on the cards. It will be a late comeback if it arrives; City have been comfortable this half.

Richards keeps his composure to tackle Tevez in the penalty area - a tricky customer well handled.

Ireland is having a good game for City. Winning balls he has no right to, covering plenty of the pitch, linking up well, playing the sensible ball, and creating a few openings. What more could you want?

Now United have a corner of their own. The ball is played back to Park who lashes shot high and wide.

Nothing comes from City's corners this time, as United break.

City are in no rush to take them, but the ref shows his watch to the players and the crowd: 'No time wasting, please.'

Now Brown concedes another - three in a row for City.

Vidic concedes two corners in succession.

Nothing comes from the corner so Ferdinand has a wasted journey and now has to trot back the length of the pitch.

Brown with a weak cross into the box, he find Park who uses his strength to find Scholes. He works an opening which ends with Dunne conceding a corner.

Park Ji Sung is on and Nani, who has been ineffectual this half, is off.

Movement on the United bench; a change is in the offing.

Ronaldo, looks a frustrated soul, but he's just craked a shot from range and it wasn't too far wide. Underestimate him at your peril.

You can't fault Anderson; his effort and application have been spot on. Except for that foul throw earlier on. He's quick, has his head up and is not afraid to have a shot.

Copying Ball, now Onuoha shackles Ronaldo. The Portuguese is not happy.

City heap the pressure on United, with Petrov ending a bright move by lashing a left foot drive wide of the goal.

We're approaching the hour and United are still 2-0 down. This really wann't in the script. Not even the first draft.

Ball with a great block to deny Ronaldo's cross into the box after a quick break from United featuring Giggs and Tevez.

Foul by O'Shea on Vassell. A typically clumsy moment from the Irishman. Yellow card.

Anderson plays a low, fast defence splitting ball through the City back line. Onlt problem is no United players are there.

Tevez puts the ball in the net, but the goal won't stand; the flag is up.

Ronaldo too is rattled. He just wasted a opportunity to put City under press by ballooning his pass long. Rather than battle back he had a little tantrum. Useless - get back into the game.

O'Shea is having a truly mediocre day at the office; summing up United game as a whole.

A moment earlier Richards was alert to the threat of Ronaldo and got a vital tackle on the attacker

Brace keeping from Hart diving at the feet of Vidic to smother the ball after a back-heel through pass from Ronaldo

And more rubbish from United as Nani takes a foul throw. It's the second of the game from United, Anderson the earlier offender. Foul thorws from professionals? Please.

O'Shea plays a shockingly bad return pass to Anderson who was on a charging run.

Vassell, Fernandes, and Onouoha work some neat trinagle passes to work an openeing for Ireland. Really intricate, tricky stuff from City - top marks.

Ronaldo and Nani need to get into wide positions; City are winning the midfield battle and the ball is being stopped.

Superb work from Petrov to tackle Brown in an advance position, the winger then combined with Irealnd to spark a break

Ball working the left flank for City - nice link-up work with Petrov

United really could do with out conceding early here.

Hamann test Van der Sar with a stinging drive from distance. The keeper was up to it, but what a striker.

Untied's ears no doubt ringing with some fairly forthright feedback from Mr Ferguson!

Right, we're back underway at Old Trafford.

City made the breakthrough and then doubled their advantage. This was most certainly not in the script!

And that's half time. What a scoreline!!?

Anderson tries to slip a ball in to Tevez, but he put too much on it.

Hamann this time wins the ball, but a foul is given. United take the kick quickly but fail to make it count.

Richards is limping, looks like he took a knock to his leg, during the goal-mouth scramble in the lead-up to the goal.

Ferguson does not look amused.

Benjani has headed a debut goal in the derby to make it 2-0 on the cusp of halftime. He was unmarked as the ball was floated back in after the initial corner kick was headed clear.

United fail to clear and United concede a second!!!

Another corner to City.

Fernandes clips Van der Sar after trying to latch onto a through ball from Petrov. United a little slow in defence today. Corner to City.

Hamann still throwing his lanky frame about, this time clashing with Scholes - no shrinking violet himself.

O'Shea cheekily wins a throw off City by kicking the ball off Onouha - he mighth ave been trying to beat the player, but he got away with it. Luck of the Irish and all that...

Petrov whips in City first corner of the day, but it is cleared long and the moves breaks down.

Ferdinand concedes a corner under close scrutiny from Benjani.

City have riased their game today; they are four games without a win and were outclassed by Arsenal last week, but this is a derby and that can do funny things.

Only two away wins in the Premier League this season for City, both against Uniteds, West Ham and Newcastle. Can they make it a three today against another United?

The game getting stretched as the City try to counter-attack after soaking a spell of intense United pressure.

United aim the corner at Vidic, but it drops and a shot ricochets out. The home side call for another corner, but there's nothing doing.

Corner to Untied after Dunne deflects a low Ronaldo drive away fom goal; the City defender was lucky he had no idea where the ball was going!

Neat play from City who only lose the ball in the final third as a ball from Benjani slipped towards Vassell is cut out. Good stuff from the visitors.

Ronaldo tried to repeat the freekick he scored against Portsmouth a few weeks ago; the ball went up, but didn't come down. Goal-kick.

Hamman fouls Tevez and United have a freekick. Giggs and Ronaldo stand over it, 30 yards out to the right of the goal.

City waste the ball trying to be too intricate with their passing

Under pressure from City Anderson and O'Shea struggle to find space from a throw-in and lose the ball

The City scorer is back on, running a little gingerly

Vassell is down and getting treatment after an awkward fall after jumping with O'Shea

Although under pressure from the outset City got back into the game from around the 20-minute mark and deserve their lead. But they are under pressure now as United seek to get back into the game.

Vassell's goal was only the fourth goal United have conceded at home in the league this season.

A tremendous save from Joe Hart to deny Tevez who turned and volleyed a great shot on the City goal.

And one for all you stat fans, in every league game Vassell has scored he has never lost.

Vassell celebrates his 50th Premier League goal, his first shot was saved by Van der Sar, but he made no mistake with the second. Petrov split the defence with a clever ball, but United will be unhappy that the rebound went straight to Vassell.

Goal for City! What did I tell you!

United have won their lost 12 home games in succession; so City will have their work cut out today.

Play back underway and a shaken Hamann gets back to work

A clash of heads between Dunne and Hamann leaves the German midfielder groggy and on the deck.

Gelson Fernandes, or Fernandes Gelson, or Gelso, or Fernandes - whatever you want to call him clipped in a wonderful ball from the right. Only Ferdinand's header denied Benjani a chance on goal.

Good work from Benjani, showing his strength to hold off Ferdinand, keep posession and feed the ball wide.

Anderson with a poor ball to no-one. High standards so far for both sides, but that was a wasted ball.

City have been a little lucky with the ref, a handball, a nasty foul and a pen shout all largely ignored.

Ronaldo in a shout for a penalty after Hamann appears to foul the United livewire in the box. Referee Webb not interested.

A possible handball by Richards is missed by the ref, and now Nani is down injured after a 50-50 ball is challenged by Hamann; the German's studs ended up in Nani's rear, which must have twinged.

An un-marked Ireland gets his head to another cross from the left. He should have got it on target, but a good move.

Important tackle from Dunne to deny Tevez a shot on goal after Giggs and Ronaldo linked up with some wonderful movement and one-tocuh football to create the opening.

Petrov tries his luck with a 25-yard drive after a decent spell of pressure. The shot was over the bar, but City are getting back into the game after early dominance from United.

First half chance for City as a decent ball is drifted in from the left. Gelson was out-jumped by Ferdinand, but it was a threat.

O'Shea hooks a long ball forward, hoping to find the City defenders napping; but the step up and Hart gathers the ball.

A charging run from Ireland ends with a fairly ridiculous ball to no-one. The space opened in front of him, but Ireland lost his cool a little.

Benjani is very isolated at the moment as City players like Ireland and Gelson get caught up in the struggle for the ball in midfield. They'll need to support the lone man to stand a chance today.

Nothing comes from United's smartly-taken corner and City counter.

Giggs unleashes a venomous volley from a tight angle after smart work from Nani and Tevez who worked the cross.

Neat footwork from Van der Sar playing himself and United out of slight danger with some quick thinking.

Tevez drops deep and starts to pull the strings, picking out Brown on the overlap - plenty of movement to worry to City backline.

United do look rather good in these special sponsor-free shirts of United red. White shorts and black socks complete the retro outfit.

Hamann links up with Onuoha on the right flank for City, but United repel the attack

A thundering challenge from Brown on Petrov welcomes the City man to the derby by dumping him on his backside

A spell of early pressure from United, Nani involved down the right.

United line up in a 4-4-2, skippered by Giggs. City are formed in a more defensive 4-5-1 with new boy Benjani the man on point.

Referee Howard Webb from South Yorkshire blows his whistle and the game is finally underway.

An more emotional start to a game I have never known.

It gives me great pleasure to report that despite concerns the silence was observed impeccably by both sets of fans.

The two managers lay wreaths on the centre spot to great applause. And the minute's silence begins...

The remaining survivors of the crash in Munich and the families of those who lost their lives are in the stadium to witness the game as the players and the mascots take their positions around the centre circle.

The players of both clubs, in their special shirts are in the tunnel. A lone piper playing 'The Red Flag' leads out the two sides on to the pitch.

As the crowd sing the names of the 23 who died on February 6, 1958, are on the advertising boards around the pitch.

And for Man City: Hart, Onuoha, Richards, Dunne, Ball, Vassell, Ireland, Hamann, Gelson, Petrov, Mwaruwari. The subs: Isaksson, Geovanni, Jihai, Caicedo, Garrido.

The news is in. Lining up 1 to 11 for United are: Van der Sar, Brown, Vidic, Ferdinand, O'Shea, Nani, Scholes, Anderson, Giggs, Ronaldo, Tevez. And the Subs: Kuszczak, Simpson, Hargreaves, Park, Carrick.

Wonderful scenes inside the stadium as the fans begin to sing; United supporters wearing simple red and white scarves given to them by the club and the City fans in similar blue and white scarves, again given by the Old Trafford club.

And once the ceremonial aspects of fixture have been observed there is the small matter of a Manchester derby to look forward to. You can follow it all here from 13.30 GMT.

It will be an emotional day, with both sets of players wearing special shirts in the style of those worn 50 years ago. There will also be wreaths laid in tribute to 23 who lost their lives, and a minute's silence.

This afternoon Old Trafford, Manchester United, Manchester City and football fans the world over will get the opportunity to pay their respects to the Busby Babes and the 15 others who died in the Munich Air Disaster 50 years ago.