Manchester City aren't on a great run, we are confident...' United boss Louis van Gaal thinks rivals are there for the taking as Wayne Rooney returns to the starting XI
- Louis van Gaal is looking ahead to his first Manchester derby on Sunday
- Wayne Rooney returns from his three-match ban for the clash
- Radamel Falcao is injured having missed the draw with Chelsea
- Van Gaal says this will be the biggest derby he has managed
- Dutchman also admits Man City have not been good in recent matches
- United lost the Manchester derby by an aggregate of 7-1 last season
Louis van Gaal believes Manchester City's poor form gives United a big chance to snatch a win at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
City have won five of their last six league meetings with United but they go into Sunday's game on a bad run of form.
Manuel
Pellegrini's team stretched their winless streak to three matches on
Wednesday when they were knocked out of the Capital One Cup by
Newcastle.
United boss Louis van Gaal was all smiles during the session as he embarks on his first Manchester derby
Juan Mata, Michael Carrick, Wayne Rooney, Ander Herrera and Robin van Persie (left to right) train
Radamel Falcao misses out again having been sidelined for the draw with Chelsea at the Etihad on Sunday
And you get the impression Van Gaal thinks City are there for the taking.
'It
is not the greatest moment of Manchester City,' he said. "What we have
seen of Manchester City in the last matches was not so good.
'We have a good feeling about this match.'
It
will be the first time Van Gaal has been in the dugout for an
all-Manchester match-up and the Dutchman could field up to five derby
debutants for the hotly-contested clash.
But
he is sure they will all understand what the fixture means to the club
after a pep talk from assistant manager Ryan Giggs this week.
'Ryan
Giggs presented the analysis of Manchester City, and I felt more
tension (about the derby) with him. It was good to see that,' Van Gaal
said.
'He knows it, he has the experience as a player and now maybe as an assistant manager.'
Rooney
joined the rest of his United team-mates at the launch of the club's
sponsorship with Bulova watches and he also wore a Matalan Alphabet
scarf in support of Alder Hey Children's Hospital Charity
Manchester United captain Rooney has been suspended since his red card against West Ham last month
Tensions
have run high in the build up to the clash but Van Gaal insists his
players must not be overcome by emotion on Sunday afternoon.
He
added: 'We don't have to accelerate this feeling because it is football
and you have to play the game, not only a game with emotion but also in
a tactical way.
'For me, I have to analyse and prepare for the games in the same manner (as the other matches).'
Wayne Rooney will start Sunday’s Manchester derby but Van Gaal will once again be without Radamel Falcao, who is still injured.
Rooney
is back from suspension and fit to captain United against Manchester
City at the Etihad Stadium after being seen limping at Old Trafford
earlier this week.
Colombia striker Falcao remains sidelined, however, following the knock he picked up in training a week ago.
Carrick (front) is in contention to play his first game of the season for United after an ankle injury
Van Gaal told a press conference on Friday afternoon: 'Rooney is fine, he was never injured.
'Maybe he was wearing his shoes too tight. He is my captain and he will start the game.
'Falcao is still injured but [Antonio] Valencia is back.'
The
United skipper has scored 11 goals against City, the most notable of
which came in February 2011 when he put away a spectacular overhead kick
to seal a 2-1 win at Old Trafford.
'I
have heard that also he has scored a lot of goals against Manchester
City, the most of any player,' said Van Gaal, whose claim is accurate.
'I said that to him to stimulate him but he doesn't need that.
Angel di Maria appeared in a relaxed mood during Manchester United's training session on Friday
Marcos Rojo (left) and Antonio Valencia could be two of many South Americans involved at the Etihad
The return of Rooney (left) to the line-up is likely to mean Mata (right) will be dropped to the bench against City
Marouane has had a resurgence in recent weeks, and could start against City on SUnday
'I am very happy that he can play again and he shall play.'
Van
Gaal, looking forward to his first Manchester derby, says it will be
the biggest local rivalry that he has managed, and recognises what it
means to the city.
'This
is the biggest derby that I shall manage. It is one of 38 [league]
matches we have to play, but for the fans it is unbelievably big as a
rivalry and I have felt that also with a lot of the players in the
squad, but also especially with Ryan Giggs.
'When he presented the analysis on City, I felt more tension with him. It was good to see.'
One
player who could be key to United's chances is Marouane Fellaini, whose
performances over the past two games have seen him back to his best.
Van Gaal thinks so too.
United attempt to regroup at the Etihad during last year's 4-1 defeat by their cross-city rivals
Yaya Toure was on song as United were beaten 3-0 by City towards the end of last season
'He has made a great contribution and also the assist for the [Chelsea] goal.
'He
has had a lot of time out injured but when he is fit I have played him.
He has to continue with that because then I am very pleased.'
United
lost their two clashes with City by an aggregate score of 7-1 last
term; 4-1 at the Etihad and 3-0 at Old Trafford under David Moyes.
Midfielder David Silva will miss Sunday's derby after being ruled out for around three weeks with a knee injury.
Fellow
midfielder Yaya Toure is expected to feature despite being withdrawn
during Wednesday's Capital One Cup loss to Newcastle amid concerns about
a groin problem.
