Ratings Battle: United Or City?

When comparing Manchester United's starting XI, bench and boss with Manchester City's, who comes out on top?

We asked Andrew Cole and Trevor Sinclair - who were speaking at a Tag Heuer event on Thursday - to run through predicted line-ups and rate the two sides ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash, live on Sky Sports.

Cole has provided his verdict on United, having scored 121 goals in 275 appearances while at Old Trafford, though he also played one season with City in 2005.

Sinclair was at City during Cole's short stint, with the former England international scoring the first competitive goal at the Etihad - then known as the City of Manchester Stadium - in 2003.

As well as the starting XIs, we ask Cole and Sinclair to rate Jose Mourinho against Pep Guardiola, and also look at both sides' strength from the bench...

STARTING XIs

GOALKEEPERS

Daid De Gea (Manchester United)

Cole says: In the past two or three seasons he has been United's best player by far. Hopefully he will stay for many years to come as he's an integral part of the team. Rating: 10/10

Claudio Bravo (Manchester City)

Sinclair says: He has done well for Barcelona and Chile, but we haven't seen him in the Premier League, with the atmosphere, the weather, the culture, and most importantly, the intensity of the derby. Rating: 7/10

DEFENDERS

Antonio Valencia (Man Utd)

Cole says: I like Antonio. Considering he arrived at United as a midfielder, he has adapted really well to playing full-back and I think he does a sterling job there. Rating: 8

Eric Bailly (Man Utd)

Cole says: So far, after a season and a half at Villarreal, he has had a super start to the season at United and long may it continue. Rating: 9

Daley Blind (Man Utd)

Cole says: Blind has done really well given that he's not really a centre-half. People question his lack of pace but you can't deny that he reads the game really well. Rating: 8

Luke Shaw (Man Utd)

Cole says: A great prospect. The injury problems of last season are over. He has started this campaign very well, playing for Jose and getting the confidence he needs off the back of a long injury. Rating: 8

Pablo Zabaleta (Man City)

Sinclair says: His influence on the team is lesser now offensively. But he leads that group of players even when he is not the captain. What he's done for City makes him probably in most fans' top three. That speaks volumes. Rating: 8

John Stones (Man City)

Sinclair says: He has started the season outstandingly well. He has a manager in Pep who can develop him properly, that believes in him and will give him the information he needs. He's such a talented player and it's brilliant to see him coming out and starting attacks for City. Rating: 8

Nicolas Otamendi (Man City)

Sinclair says: He has got better since the start of last season. He used to go wandering and leave holes. For a central defender, to stay in the centre is integral, and he was too eager to leave that area and get involved in things he didn't need to. Rating: 7

Gael Clichy (Man City)

Sinclair says: He's a good player. I do think he will be replaced by Pep eventually but he has taken on the task well this season. He's a player who will always get a 7, but rarely an 8 out of 9. Rating: 7

MIDFIELDERS

Marouane Fellaini (Man Utd)

Cole says: He's different. He puts himself about and has been given the opportunity to play under Jose. United have been short in that area, having had players like [Roy] Keane, [Paul] Ince, [Paul] Scholes, but they've been very spoilt and Fellaini is a totally different player to what they're used to. Rating: 7

Paul Pogba (Man Utd)

Cole says: I'm loving this kid. To go to Italy at such a tender age, do what he did, then come back to United, you can tell he's got unfinished business and that's a testament to him. The two games I have seen him play so far, he looks like he is really enjoying himself. Rating: 9

Juan Mata (Man Utd)

Cole says: I like Juan because he is very creative. He likes having the ball and if he plays in the right areas, he will cause problems. Everyone questioned if he would play under Mourinho, but he has done really well so far. Rating: 8

Kevin De Bruyne (Man City)

Sinclair says: Outstanding. Energetic. Goals. Creativity. He's got the lot. He looked like a new and improved version of Silva last season, he has that intricacy to his play. I wasn't convinced originally, but he hit the ground running at City. I do wonder why I ever doubted this lad. Rating: 9

Fernandinho (Man City)

Sinclair says: He's a solid and reliable player, who comes up with the odd goal. He won't let you down, and has a decent touch. To have someone who breaks things up and keeps it simple, he's as good as you will get. Rating: 8

David Silva (Man City)

Sinclair says: Pep coming in has reinvigorated him, he seems to have fallen in love with football again. Injury problems last year troubled him a lot but this season he has started well and looks like the David Silva we all expect. Rating: 9

FORWARDS

Wayne Rooney (Man Utd)

Cole says: Wayne comes under pressure from people who continuously question him, including the British media. For him to be playing so well for as long as he has done, and to achieve what he has done, it's fantastic. People should stop questioning him and look at his achievements. Rating: 9

Anthony Martial (Man Utd)

Cole says: This kid was fantastic last season. To come in for a big transfer fee when no one had heard of him, what a prospect. He's lacking confidence at the moment but he will overcome that, he's too good not to. I enjoy watching him, he's different and will take defenders on and score goals. Rating: 9

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Man Utd)

Cole says: I've always enjoyed watching him. He's a maverick who speaks his mind - my kind of person - and the media are lapping it up. Usually if you speak your mind and play here, everyone will call you arrogant, but he is a super player. Wherever he has been, he has won and to come to United at 34, he can still offer a lot. Rating: 9

Raheem Sterling (Man City)

Sinclair says: He has been brilliant. He looks refreshed, like he knows what his role in the team is and he is not afraid to take people on anymore. He said that Pep was having a go at him for not taking players on, so I am pleased he is getting Sterling to dribble. From a standing start, not many can live with him over five yards. Rating: 8

Leroy Sane (Man City)

Sinclair's rating: What an athlete, like a gazelle when he gets going. Talk about players who come into squads, some of them make you excited, and this is a player who I cannot wait to get going for City. Rating: 8

Nolito (Man City)

Sinclair's rating: We weren't sure where he would play, but he's scoring goals and looks like he knows what Pep wants. He has hit the ground running and there's a lot more to come from him. It's an exciting time for the fans because of City's forward line. Rating: 8

ON THE BENCH

For United, Cole says: United are in a very positive position now, and have players on the bench who will be disappointed not to be in the team, which is good for them. Mourinho has changed the players' mentality so that any given time he can change his team and they will make an impact. Rating: 8

For City, Sinclair says: There's plenty there to come off the bench. Unless Yaya Toure gets fitter, he will only play a bit part, but I wouldn't say he's gone. [Kelechi] Iheanacho is very much in the same mould as [Marcus] Rashford, they have been a breath of fresh air and have inspired older team-mates. He has a very bright future. Rating: 8

THE MANAGERS

On Mourinho, Cole says: His impact has been massive. The players seem more relaxed, like Man United again, with no fear and killing teams off early doors, as opposed to the last few years which have been disappointing. For his start, I have to give him 10. Rating: 10

On Guardiola, Sinclair says: He speaks about real football and likes to develop players, he's not bothered about Galacticos but wants to make those in the squad even better. I'm dead chuffed for the fans and the club, they have a great manager and I think he will do great things at City. Rating: 9

TOTAL SCORES (OUT OF 130)

Manchester United: 112

Manchester City: 104

Credit: Skysports.com