Darmian Vs Sterling

Sunday's 170th Manchester derby is likely to see one of the newest defenders in the Premier League go head-to-head with the most expensive English players ever.

Right-back Matteo Darmian was a relative unknown on these shores before his £12.7m move to Manchester United from Torino this summer and has since become a mainstay of Louis Van Gaal's team.

The 25-year-old is one of only three United players to start every Premier League game this season, along with Juan Mata and Chris Smalling. And only Smalling, Wayne Rooney, Mata and Daley Blind have played more minutes.

Darmian and Smalling have been the only ever-presents in a United defence that has kept a joint-Premier League high five clean sheets this season and has only conceded one goal at Old Trafford. No team has conceded fewer home goals in English league football in 2015/16.

The Italian has attempted (29) and won (22) more tackles this season than any other United player and has also won 47 duels, with only Smalling winning more (54).

Darmian's pace could be a vital asset in combatting the threat of Sterling at the weekend. Darmian has the highest average speed of any United defender this season and only three defenders surpass him in the Premier League. In direct comparison, Darmian's average speed of 7.06kph this season is greater than Sterling's (6.7kph).

Darmian will face a stern test against Sterling, a man in top form following his first career hat-trick against Bournemouth last Saturday.

The £49m man has predominantly played on the left of Man City's fluid attacking midfield three and has now scored four Premier League goals this season from his 10 shots on target. Only injured star striker Sergio Aguero has scored more (6) and hit the target more (14) for City.

With the talismanic Argentina international facing a month out with a hamstring injury, Sterling could become the main supplier of goals for a City side that are the Premier League's top scorers this season. City have scored 24 times in the league this term and have found the net 11 times in their last two games.

Sterling's pace has always been a major strength of the youngster's game and only Aleksandar Kolarov has hit a higher top speed for Man City this season.

The 20-year-old has also attempted more dribbles this season than any other City player and only Jesus Navas has completed more sprints.

The absence of Aguero will be a blow to City's chances of getting one over their rivals, but if Sterling and his attacking counterparts can get the better of Darmian and United's miserly defence, Manuel Pellegrini's side could improve their current run of four wins in the last five Manchester derbies.

Credit: Skysports.com