Manchester United host Manchester City in a clash of ice and fire amid snowfall and freezing temperatures

Premier League leaders will go 11 points clear of second-place Manchester United with victory at Old Trafford in first derby of the season

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Tempers fray between Manchester United’s Marouane Fellaini and City’s Sergio Aguero when the teams last met in the Premier League in April. Photo: AFP

Published: 1:22pm, 10 Dec 2017Updated: 1:22pm, 10 Dec 2017

Manchester United and Manchester City will have to contend with snow and sub-zero temperatures – as well as each other – in Sunday’s Premier League title showdown at Old Trafford.

Snow is forecast to fall across northwest England in the hours leading up to kick-off and temperatures are set to drop to minus 1 degree Celsius.

While the Old Trafford pitch benefits from undersoil heating, there are concerns about icy conditions outside the ground and the 76,000 fans due to attend have been encouraged to arrive early.

Snow lies on the ground of the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv, Ukraine, ahead of Manchester City’s Uefa Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk. The 2-1 loss brought the club’s record winning streak to an end ahead of the Manchester derby. Photo: Reuters

The white-hot rivalry between the clubs means the temperature is guaranteed to rise once the teams take to the field for the 175th Manchester derby.

League leaders City are gunning for a record-equalling 14th successive top flight win and can put a huge 11 points between themselves and second-place United if they prevail.

But United are seeking to set a record of their own by notching up a 41st home match without defeat and City manager Pep Guardiola is wary of his old foe Jose Mourinho’s ability to roll with the punches.