text: It is not a match to decide the title, as has been the case in earlier seasons. But the Manchester derby this Sunday still holds great significance for both clubs, managers and, of course, supporters. City have won the last four contests between the sides, as well as the previous three at Old Trafford. A number of intriguing strands run through this coming clash and could be pulled apart on full time. Here Sportsmail assesses ten key questions and tries to provide some answers. Can Manuel Pellegrini survive a derby loss? The word is the Chilean’s future will be decided come May when the dust on a creaking season has settled. Defeat to cross-town rivals would push chairman Khaldoon al Mubarak closer to pressing the termination button though. It would leave City trailing United by four points and likely to finish fourth, needing to get past a qualifying round to reach to Champions League – the very minimum requirement. Manuel Pellegrini (centre) is a man under-pressure at City and a defeat to their rivals is unthinkable . Who needs the win more? To that end you would probably have to say City. A victory would inject some happiness into what seems a rather glum situation, and reignite ambitions to finish second, possible saving Pellegrini from the axe. United look set to finish in the top four regardless, the baseline attainment for this campaign to be judged satisfactory. But they will be desperate to alter that current ugly sequence against their noisy neighbours. United have never lost five in a row to City before. Three points would begin to make their season look very decent indeed. Glenn Murray (right) tormented City at Selhurst Park as they dropped out of the Premier League title race . Would victory dispel any lingering doubts about Louis Van Gaal? Quite likely. Three successive wins on the bounce against opposition the stature of Tottenham, Liverpool and City would underline Van Gaal’s ability to rise to the big matches and suggest that, after a season of trial, error, and turnstile selections, the plan is coming together. Those uncertainties around the Dutchman would resurface just as swiftly with defeat of course. Louis van Gaal has had his critics this season but Manchester United's performances are proving them wrong . Should Vincent Kompany remain in the City side? It would be a big call for a game of such size, but the sense that City may be better off without their captain cannot be disregarded. These should be the 29-year-old’s peak years but injuries seem to have affected his body and mind. The Belgian is increasingly prone to errors of judgement. Martin Demichelis and Eliaquim Mangala do not provide the most robust competition but Kompany’s appearance in seven losses in 12 games speaks volumes. Mangala, on the bench against Crystal Palace, has experienced three losses in 24 matches all season. Vincent Kompany (left) has struggled for form this campaign and could lose his place for the derby . Where does this rank in English football’s biggest games? Manchester has become a powerhouse of English football through City’s ascent. The city has been home to the Premier League title for the past four seasons, oscillating between Old Trafford and the Etihad. That will not be the case this year but the rivalry still burns and allied to the global scale of these clubs the match ranks as high as any other, perhaps only beaten by Liverpool-United. Mario Balotelli (centre) produced one of the most iconic derby moments when he scored at Old Trafford . Who is the better player right now: Wayne Rooney or Sergio Aguero? No doubt Aguero is the better striker, his movement, angles for shooting, and goal-scoring record stands testament to that. But since being shifted to his preferred centre-forward role, Rooney is displaying form that would see him into any side. He has been approaching his all-action peak and scored seven goals in ten games for club and country, taking his overall season tally to 21. Aguero has 23 for the campaign, but has failed to find the net in his last six games, a run stretching back to February 24. At the moment you would have to go for Rooney. These two love the Manchester derby. Rooney holds the record for most all-time goals with 11, while Aguero has six in seven. Wayne Rooney (left) and Sergio Aguero are two of the best forwards in the current Premier League . How crucial might Michael Carrick be? His return to the United lineup in the fulcrum role in front of defence has lifted the side considerably. He has not enjoyed the best returns facing City in recent seasons – and in the corresponding fixture was asked to play centre-back as a first-half substitute – but will get more space in his deeper midfield role. It is unlikely Pellegrini will task anyone with marshalling Carrick, which is how he likes it. Michael Carrick (left) has become a key player for United over the years and is pivotal for Van Gaal . Will the real Yaya Toure show up? You would hope so. Yaya at the height of his powers in an awesome sight and could prove the difference. But those flashes have been all too fleeting this season. Now would be a good time to step up. Like Kompany, Yaya Toure's form is patchy but he scored a stunning goal against Crystal Palace on Monday . Will United solve the problem of Angel di Maria? The team looks balanced right now, with Ashley Young doing nothing to lose his place. United’s record signing has been coming on and providing assists, so Van Gaal is probably inclined to repeat the pattern. Ultimately, Di Maria must provide more, and will want to, but at this moment he should start on the bench. Why is kick-off at 4pm? Police saw no dangers of the late afternoon kick-off time on a Sunday, and have cited previous good behaviour between sets of supporters. As ever, television dictates the preference and the 4pm slot is prime for viewers. Angel di Maria hasn't quite settled in Manchester but recently has done well when coming off the bench .
target: The Manchester derby is crucial in the race for the Premier League top two .
  Under-pressure Manuel Pellegrini can't afford to lose the clash .
  The performances of Sergio Aguero and Wayne Rooney will be important .
  Man United can open up a four-point gap if they beat their bitter rivals .
  CLICK HERE for all the latest Manchester United news .
  CLICK HERE for all the latest Manchester City news .