IT’S CRUNCH time in Manchester tonight – and that’s putting it mildly.

Derbies between United and City are always captivating, but this one is truly high stakes.

With victory, City, who have the advantage of playing at home and knowing they won 6-1 at Old Trafford earlier this season, will regain the leadership.

With the points then level, they would further boost a goal difference currently six better than United’s, who not so long ago held an apparently seemingly unassailable eight-point lead.

All that with just two more games to go, for City at Newcastle and at home to QPR, for United, at home to Swansea and away to Sunderland.

It’s a mouth-watering prospect, terrific for neutrals as well as the supporters of both sides, and Sky must be rubbing their hands at the way things have turned out!

Both bosses have been playing mind games during the build-up, with Roberto Mancini insisting the title is United’s and hailing the inner strength and team spirit of the Old Trafford side.

For his part, Sir Alex Ferguson noted the ‘noisy neighbours’ aren’t abut to go away.

Fergie, of course, has seen it all before, and while it seems the boot is on the other foot in terms of leads being chipped away, I believe United will prevail and land another Premier League crown.

That would be fitting for a superb manager who has never been afraid of bringing through young players and has built not just one, but a series of fantastic teams.