United primed to resume Manchester top-dog function

Manchester United, buoyed by five successive top-rated League victories, head into Sunday's derby towards Manchester city a situation and a point above their opponents and believing they are poised to restore purple ascendancy within the city.
Champions city have won the last 4 league meetings in opposition to United, including a 1-zero victory at the Etihad Stadium in November, but their hopes of keeping the title have faded.

They have dropped all the way down to fourth after four wins in eleven league video games and trail leaders Chelsea by way of nine elements.

United, in the meantime, have put their early season struggles at the back of them to climb to 3rd, eight elements away from fifth-positioned Liverpool within the race for Champions League qualification.

"It used to be an extra Manchester United (final November), I feel," United boss Louis van Gaal told newshounds after Saturday's 3-1 win towards Aston Villa.

"That used to be extra in the begin of the approach and now we are finally of the process.

"Now we have developed the crew. I believe also the confidence of our players is very excessive on the moment.

"This next sport is the decisive recreation... You must win a majority of these suits."

metropolis arrive at old Trafford on the back of a 2-1 defeat through Crystal Palace however captain Vincent Kompany believes type counts for nothing in a derby.

"it doesn't matter what place you are within the league, it can be a derby," Kompany said after the Palace loss.

"If some thing, it's a good second to go into a derby.

"i assume the momentum is a little bit bit with our neighbours on the moment, but it's the ideal place for us to go and take a look at to rectify what we have now had."

Chelsea, who want 16 elements from their ultimate eight games to win the title for the primary time in view that 2010, travel to relegation-threatened west London competitors Queens Park Rangers on Sunday.

"I've in no way performed at QPR as a Chelsea supervisor," Jose Mourinho advised the membership's internet site (www.Chelseafc.Com). "however i know history and i do know that for QPR to play against Chelsea is a distinct healthy.

"the most problematic job is the job of the others that come from behind, for the reason that... If they draw one recreation, they're in challenge. They have got to win each recreation."

2d-placed Arsenal, who've received 10 out of 11 league fits, travel to struggling Burnley on Saturday, whilst fifth-placed Liverpool will likely be aiming to close the hole on the highest 4 with victory over Newcastle United at Anfield on Monday.