Manchester will be divided on Sunday as City host United in the latest instalment of a historic rivalry.

Ahead of the clash at the Etihad, check out our combined XI of the greatest players to have starred for the clubs during the Premier League era.

Goalkeeper: Peter Schmeichel (Both)

The first half of David de Gea's United career alone might have seen the Spaniard take the spot between the sticks in this side.

But his decline allows room for Peter Schmeichel, a dominant figure for the Red Devils through the 1990s. The fact he also played for City gives him the edge.

Right-back: Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Whether Kyle Walker is a better player than Gary Neville ever was is a debate for an all-time Premier League XI, let alone this team.

Walker sits 13 top-flight appearances behind Neville and is improving at an age when the United stalwart was declining.

Centre-back: Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United)

Rio Ferdinand is the most decorated Premier League centre-back, winning six titles during a glittering spell with United. 

His elegant style also stands him apart.

Centre-back: Vincent Kompany (Manchester City)

Talismanic captain Vincent Kompany played a crucial role in elevating City.

He headed a derby winner to set up the club's first Premier League title in 2012 and crashed in a vital 30-yarder against Leicester in 2019, to which Neville declared on commentary: "Where do you want your statue, Vincent Kompany?"

Left-back: Denis Irwin (Manchester United)

Denis Irwin was underrated by many but the Irishman was a vital part of United's success in the 90s.

Speaking last year, Neville said: "He didn't give goals away, was brilliant going forward and could take set-pieces to the equal of most."

Right wing: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

Cristiano Ronaldo did not even play his best football in England but was still a phenomenon.

Arriving as a whirlwind of tricks, he became a brutal goalscorer, equaling the then-record for the most Premier League strikes in a season in 2007-08 (31).

Central midfield: Paul Scholes (Manchester United)

We are giving each team one central midfielder and Paul Scholes is surely the most legendary of them all from the red side of Manchester.

One appearance short of the 500 mark, he is also in the 100-goal club and evolved his position from a second striker to a holding midfielder — via a short-lived retirement — as his career progressed.

Central midfield: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)

Kevin De Bruyne fends off competition from Yaya Toure and David Silva to represent City in the engine room.

Only Ryan Giggs and Cesc Fabregas have assisted more goals in the division's history and both have played over 100 matches more.

Left wing: Ryan Giggs (Manchester United)

Giggs has played the third-most Premier League matches and must feature in any all-time XI involving United.

A total of 632 appearances, 109 goals, 162 assists and 13 Premier League titles tells you all you need to know. 

Striker: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

United's all-time highest goalscorer and the third-highest in the Premier League overall, Rooney also has his own piece of Manchester derby history.

The overhead kick he scored in March 2011 to beat City at Old Trafford is quite simply iconic. 

Striker: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)

Rooney is the leading goalscorer in this fixture's history — and is joined by the fourth-highest in Sergio Aguero.

The Argentine netted eight goals in his first nine derbies as the balance of power swayed towards City.