Former Arsenal forward Charlie Nicholas has backed Manchester City to overcome Manchester United in Sunday's Premier League clash at Old Trafford.

United are unbeaten in their last nine matches in all competitions and booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with a 3-0 victory over Derby County on Thursday night.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side have collected eight points from their last four Premier League matches, meanwhile, but Nicholas has tipped City to "pick them off" in the Manchester derby.

"Having got their first trophy of the season, I imagine Pep Guardiola will have his strongest side out. United have been better defensively and are a counter-attacking side, but I still think City will pick them off with Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne, provided he's fit," Nicholas told Sky Sports News.

The Red Devils are currently fifth in the Premier League table, three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, who will host Everton on Sunday afternoon.

The 20-time English champions have already beaten City twice during the 2019-20 campaign, although they suffered a 3-1 defeat to the Citizens when they last met at Old Trafford in January.