MEN Sport's United correspondent Stuart Mathieson and his opposite number, Blues reporter Stuart Brennan, have followed the Manchester clubs around the world this season.

From Merseyside to Munich and Abu Dhabi to Aston Villa, the pair have clocked up more than 100 matches between them following United and City.

So there is no better pair to analyse Saturday's lunchtime Eastlands feast.

The two Stus sat down over a pint to discuss both sides' chances in what is one of the most eagerly awaited derbies for many a year.

SM: Good to see you pal, and I have to say I enjoyed my recent trip to Wembley. Sorry you couldn't make it!

Your boys maybe the on-fire goal machine at the moment, Big Stu, but I suspect Blues' fans are still somewhat wary about the strength of their back four.

United have put eight goals past City already this term - whether it was Mark Hughes' combo of Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott or Mancini's choice of Vincent Kompany and Micah Richards at the heart of the Blues' defence.

United's wingers have had decent joy out of the likes of Javier Garrido and Pablo Zabaleta too and if the Reds can get Nani and Valencia going and a fit Wayne Rooney testing your central defenders then they could attack your Achilles heel.

Do you think that's City's weak point?

SB: It has certainly been the weak point all season, Slightly Smaller Stu, although Mancini has tightened things up of late.

The main problem has been that injury, suspension and international commitments have meant City have had 22 different back-four combinations this season.

The good news for the Blues is that Wayne Bridge has a good chance of being fit for Saturday, and Nedum Onuoha should strengthen the right-back slot.

Anyway, United have not been too convincing in that department - Rio's a crock, Vidic's wife wants a club near a beach, and Bellers will fancy either old man Neville or either of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Brazilians at right-back.

How do you think Fergie will play it?

SM: All United's tactics will revolve around the Rooney factor.

If he's 100 per cent then he'll lead the line and could have Dimitar Berbatov playing off him, unless Fergie decides on a five-strong midfield.

Personally, though the heavy accent on the engine room with the England striker as the lone front man has worked I would rather a traditional Reds 4-4-2 line-up for this one.

Berbatov has taken some stick but I think he could be in the last-chance saloon and might finally get fired up to prove a few doubters wrong.

While Blues fans might now be glad they didn't get the Bulgarian in the 2008 summer transfer window, I bet they are crowing about landing Carlos Tevez.

Reds fans aren't too chuffed with him for switching camps but he has certainly had some storming matches against his old mates this season, particularly in the Carling Cup.

United will need Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic on the top of their game to keep him and Adebayor quiet.

SB: They certainly will, although Mancini is also waiting to see how his physio room clears before deciding on his team, and indeed his tactics.

I'm sure the fans would love to see him hit United with the four attacking players who have brought the 14 goals in the last three games. But he may need to match a five-man United midfield by bringing in Stephen Ireland, Patrick Vieira or Zabaleta.

No doubt there will be one or two surprises in the canny Italian's team selection - and a few surprises on the pitch on the day.

SM: Derbies can throw up some unlikely heroes but assuming Rooney is over the ankle problem that has caused the Reds so much angst, I cannot see beyond him for United's potential star man on Saturday.

For a long spell the players and manager have tried to tone down suggestions they are a one-man team but, reading between the lines, you get the impression they suspected it all along and recent results have proved it.

Who do you reckon will be the Blues' ace up their sleeve? And I bet you are going to say Tevez just to wind Reds fans up!

SB: I think Carlos has already done plenty of damage to his old pals this season and, as you say, expect the unexpected in a derby.

How about Miles Platting lad Nedum Onuoha netting the winner - he's in quite a run of goalscoring form - or would be if Tevez didn't keep nicking them off him!

United haven't convinced me this season, but where do you think City can get at them?

SM: I talked about City's weak link before and it seems this is going to be a bit of a Rooney one-sided conversation on my part because United's Achilles heel has simply been that this season - the reliance on the England hitman.

Even when Cristiano Ronaldo was head and shoulders above everyone there was still Rooney and Tevez to add some sparkle.

Now it has only been Rooney's power and eye-for-goal that has kept United on a high. They don't seem to have someone to rely on to plug that inventive gap when he's not there.

SB: You could level the same charge at City. As important as Rooney is to United, so is Tevez to City. The difference is that Carlos goes into the game free from injury problems and in the form of his life.

No doubt United will target him, but there are other players who could benefit from that - Adam Johnson against Patrice Evra will be a fascinating battle, as the City kid's confidence is on the rise.

Do you reckon this is the biggest derby for 40 years?

SM: The Premier League title is still a faint hope and that's why this fixture means so much to United.

The way the Reds went about the two Carling Cup semis and the way they celebrated the dramatic last-gasp 4-3 win at Old Trafford in September shows they know something is happening at City.

But they've got that sensational late home win under their belts and they did win the Wembley bragging rights, so clinging onto title hopes is going to be paramount in their thoughts and not just beating the Blues. Do you think City see it the same way with the Champions League fourth spot in their sights, or is beating United the be all and end all?

SB: The heads are saying fourth place is everything - it would mean an enormous amount to the club, and facilitate the next phase of the squad development.

But Blue hearts always want to beat United, and if that means handing the title to Chelsea on a plate, it would be a double celebration.

The fact it's at Eastlands, where City have lost once in a year, will be a big factor.

SM: United have not had a great away record against City since 2002 but I still think the psychological edge from ending the Blues' Wembley hopes in January will still linger.

City's goal blitz of late, and United have been no mean slouches in front of goal, means I have a feeling another potential goal-fest is on the cards. A draw would be no good for the Reds so I think they might just squeeze by 3-2.

SB: I think you're right about a goal-fest, with two teams with an attacking mentality and with defensive problems. So it will probably be a dour 0-0!

No, I feel the time is ripe for a momentous City win - I'll reverse your scoreline and go 3-2 to City in a classic.

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