Premier League Old Trafford awaits

The cold has already made an appearance in Manchester, with forecasts pointing to a maximum of one degree and a minimum of -4, as United and City do battle in the most expensive derby in the history of English football, taking into account the cost of the players on show.

It's a duel that will be seen in 189 countries of the 193 that are in the United Nations.

A rough calculation is that more than a trillion houses could be watching the match between the two British giants.

"I hope that before the game the city is full of colour," Jose Mourinho said on the eve of the fixture.

"Blue and red everywhere because a rivalry understood in a good way is a very nice thing: same city, different colours, friends supporting different teams...

"I'm going straight from the hotel to the stadium, but I don't need to be told to know how special this derby is for the people of Manchester."

Worldwide

The only countries that are not going to broadcast it are North Korea, Cuba, Moldova and Saint Kitts and Nevis.

To date, the biggest audience in English football was another Manchester derby, in April 2012, seen by just over four million people (4,081,000).

During that season, the most watched game was Chelsea-United, which only just exceeded two million (2,260,000); last year's Liverpool-United fixture drew 2,850,000 viewers.

Everything is ready at Old Trafford to see the two best teams in the Premier League.

Pep Guardiola's City side are eight points ahead of Mourinho's United, who are on a run of 40 games without losing at home in all competitions.

The last rival to win at the Theatre of Dreams was, curiously, City last September.

The most expensive game

Paul Pogba is missing through suspension, Bailly, Mendy and Stones are all injured, but still those who will play will ensure it's the most expensive derby ever.

Since Guardiola and Mourinho led City and United, the statistics are identical; a victory, a draw and a defeat for each, with two goals in favour and two against.

It will also be a game in which the offensive effectiveness of the visitors will put David De Gea to the test.

Raheem Sterling has nine goals already this season and Sergio Aguero has eight.

Gabriel Jesus adds another eight to the toal, threatening the best defence in the league: nine goals conceded in 15 games.

On Sunday, Manchester is the capital of world football.