The second Manchester derby of the Premier League season looks set to be a mouth-watering encounter this weekend. United welcome City to Old Trafford with the hosts in fine form while Pep Guardiola’s side will be looking to make history.

The Citizens will complete the league double over their rivals for the sixth time if they win, which is the most out of any other team in the competition’s history.

City boos Pep Guardiola, never averse to the odd tactical surprise, admits he is pondering some “ridiculous ideas” ahead of the Manchester derby.

This, say is necessitated by match against Southampton in the Carabao Cup quarter-final on Wednesday but Guardiola admits he is looking ahead to the clash against Manchester United on Saturday in the Premier League.

“I would like to arrive against United with the average of minutes in the legs of the players quite similar, because I have a few ideas, thoughts – ridiculous ones – against United, but still I didn’t watch the last games,” he said.

They came out on top of a nine-goal thriller earlier on in the campaign after hat-tricks from both Erling Haaland and Phil Foden handed them the three points in a 6-3 victory.

After scoring six goals in that clash, they only need two more to equal or three to break their record number of goals scored against Man United in a season since 1955. Setting new records for the club would be perfect for manager Guardiola as he also marks a special occasion this weekend.

The Spaniard will take charge of the 500th top-flight game of his managerial career. Although Erik ten Hag will be out to spoil the party after he became the quickest Red Devils boss to reach 20 wins in charge, with his side in superb form.

“I have to see the way they [United] play at home and if they changed something. I have to still review it. That is why I don’t have a clear line-up against United. These ones [against Southampton and United], it also depends on those who didn’t play against Chelsea.

“I would say the game against Chelsea [in the FA Cup on Sunday], I made a lot of changes for one reason – how tired I saw some players after the game, after the trip [to Chelsea in the league three days before]. We arrived too late and in training the day after I saw the players tired.”

United have won their last eight games in a row in all competitions while also winning nine consecutive matches at Old Trafford. This form will leave them hopeful of coming out on top in the derby, with a win moving them one point behind their rivals and possibly adding the Red Devils into the title race.

The key man during this form has been Marcus Rashford. The England star has scored in his last eight games at Old Trafford and is Ten Hag’s side’s top scorer with 15 goals this season.

After he scored a late brace off the bench in midweek, the United boss said, “I have told you many times, when he brings himself into position, when the teams puts him in the positions, in the one-on-ones in the box he will score and that is what he is doing at this moment. So, if he keeps the focus and keeps putting the effort in he will keep on scoring.”

If he is to score once again, it will be his fourth in a row in the Premier League, a feat that he hasn’t achieved since January 2019. However, the 25-year-old has failed to score in any of his last five appearances in the Manchester derby, managing only one shot on target.

United’s form against City at home is equally as poor, losing eight times to their rivals at Old Trafford which is more than any other team. The stats leave Guardiola’s side hoping for history to repeat itself while the Red Devils and Rashford will be keen to use their form to prevent another derby defeat.

Wednesday’s League Cup clash could see Kalvin Phillips make his first start since joining from Leeds last summer. The England international, who underwent shoulder surgery in September, only made four substitute appearances prior to the World Cup, then was described by City boss Guardiola as having returned from the tournament in Qatar overweight and not in condition to do training sessions or play.

Phillips has subsequently come off the bench, to replace Rodri, twice against Chelsea as City beat them 1-0 away in the Premier League last Thursday and then 4-0 at home in the FA Cup on Sunday.

• A Tell / TalSport / Footabll386 report