With only one goal separating the two Manchester clubs in the league table, this weekend’s derby is a prime opportunity for one of them to take an early step ahead of their rivals.
After a somewhat unconvincing start to the season, Manchester United come into the game in good form after netting six goals in two games against Crystal Palace and Bayer Leverkusen, having failed to score in the previous two.
And while David Moyes, who takes charge of his first Manchester Derby this weekend, acknowledged the significance of the game against City today, he is refusing to get caught up in the hysteria that surrounds the fixture.
He said: “Every derby in every big city is important, and I understand how important it is to the Manchester United supporters. Everyone realises the passion there between the supporters and the commitment the players are required to show.
“It’s just another game and another derby; we have to do enough to win. We played well in the games [leading up to the derby] and we’ve got a bit of confidence. We’ll go there and try and take all the points.”
The re-emergence of Wayne Rooney as a key player for the Reds – evidenced by his double in the Champions League in midweek – is also a welcome boost for Moyes.
“I was really impressed with his conditioning in pre-season and he’s getting the fruits of that. He’s shown everyone what he can do,” he said.
“We go step by step, and to see him score another two at the weekend would be another step forward. He’s played really well and I’m asking him to step up and keep getting better.”
The meeting signals the end of a baptism of fire for Moyes, whose first five league games at the United helm included trips to Swansea City and Liverpool, with the Reds also welcoming Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea, and the Scot will want to kick-on from the hard-fought seven points that United accumulated from those games with a win in his first Manchester derby.
Moyes fared well against City in his time with Everton, securing seven wins, a draw, and only two defeats in the ten matches played since the start of the 2008/09 campaign, a record that his opposite number, Manuel Pellegrini, will be wary of.
Image courtesy of BBC Sport via YouTube, with thanks.
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