Manchester derby set to become most watched and expensive Premier League match in history… only four countries will not be showing the clash
Just four countries around the world will not be screening the big clash between United and City on Sunday as two of the costliest sides in football go head-to-head at Old Trafford
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MANCHESTER UNITED'S clash with Manchester City is on course to be the biggest game in Premier League history.
Sunday's match at Old Trafford is of huge importance in the title race with Jose Mourinho desperately needed a win to claw their way closer to City at the top of the table.
And such is the interest in the game, nearly every country on the planet will be screening it live on TV.
Just four countries recognised by the United Nations are not broadcasting events in the North-West - North Korea, Cuba, Moldova and Saint Kitts and Nevis.
That means the eyes of the world will be on Old Trafford as City look to extend their advantage over their closest rivals to 11 points.
In the UK, Sky are confident the game will challenge the record for the biggest TV audience in the Premier League era, with 4.081million watching the Manchester derby in 2012.
The match also promises to become the most expensive game seen in this country as the two costliest squads square up for the first time this season.
When Mourinho and Pep Guardiola hand in their team sheets, the total cost of the sides out on the pitch is expected to be over £650million.
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And that figure comes despite a huge £220m of talent not fit enough to play with Paul Pogba, Eric Bailly, John Stones and Benjamin Mendy all out injured.
United know that anything less than a win on Sunday would leave them with a major challenge of hauling their way back into the title race.
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City are unbeaten in the league this season, although the midweek Champions League defeat to Shaktar Donetsk was their first of the season.
Guardiola had made several changes to his side for the dead rubber match, and the loss is unlikely to have any impact on the confidence of the players.
But United will be aware City have struggled to play at their best in recent weeks, and will have noted how relegation threatened West Ham pushed them hard last weekend.