Manchester Derby: No United player can make City team- Wright-Phillips

Former England player Shaun Wright-Phillips has sensationally claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo or any other Manchester United would currently get into Man City's team at the moment.

The two rivals will meet in the Manchester derby this weekend with City currently sitting top of the table with a six-point lead over Liverpool – but have played a game more than the Reds – while United remain in the hunt for a top-four finish.

United are currently on an eight-game unbeaten streak in the Premier League under Ralf Rangnick but have come under criticism given they dropped points in four of those games.

Ronaldo himself has only scored once in his last nine games and is suffering a rare dip in form, with pundits questioning whether the Portuguese talisman has lost his edge. 

And ahead of a hotly-anticipated Manchester derby, former City winger Wright-Phillips believes that not even Ronaldo could break into Pep Guardiola's starting XI, with Anthony Elanga potentially the 'closest' to doing so.

When asked if any United players could make their way into the current City side, the former Blue told FreeSuperTips: 'No not really. I would have said before [Cristiano] Ronaldo went off the boil that he could get into a City team.

'I haven't seen Bruno Fernandes in the way that we have seen him in the last year, so honestly, I don't think anyone would walk into City's team. The only one who would be the closest is Elanga right now.' 

Wright-Phillips claims could light a fire under Ronaldo and Co ahead of Sunday's derby with both sides in need of points going into the game. 

Reports have claimed that Rangnick will stand by Ronaldo and start him at the Etihad, despite his ongoing goal drought. 

In his latest outing against Watford, Ronaldo missed several chances as United were held to a goalless draw.

His wayward finishing may have left some wondering whether his place in the side would be at risk against Manchester City, but Rangnick will name him in his starting XI, as reported by The Sun.

It is understood that Rangnick is optimistic that Ronaldo will benefit from the eight-day break in between games, and could be reinvigorated at the Etihad Stadium.

The 37-year-old was dropped for the Red Devils' clash against Burnley last month, yet on this occasion, Rangnick is expected to select the 37-year-old to play.

His decision may be partly due to a lack of alternatives as fellow forward Edinson Cavani has missed United's last four league fixtures with a groin injury.

If Ronaldo does get the nod, United are likely to need him to be firing on all cylinders against the defending champions.

They lost the reverse fixture against Pep Guardiola's men back in November, in what turned out to be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's final home game at the helm.

The side are also in a precarious position when it comes to qualifying for next season's Champions League.

They currently occupy the fourth spot but find themselves just two points above Arsenal, and the Gunners have three games in hand.