April 11, 2015 10:23:42 UK
Head coach Louis van Gaal believes a derby victory over Manchester City on Sunday will be a massive boost for his improving Manchester United outfit.
The Red Devils have lost their last four derby clashes with the Citizens, but go into the game on Sunday as the side in form, with faltering City having lost their last three away games and dropped down to fourth place in the Premier League table.
All the players understand the meaning of a victory and I know it also.
Louis van Gaal
Meanwhile, United have won their last five league games to move above City into third place in the standings, a run which has given Van Gaal extra confidence for the derby clash.
He told reporters: “All the players understand the meaning of a victory and I know it also. You want to win because it is a big step in the table also.
“When you win, third place is then reachable and a month ago nobody was thinking about that, besides me, of course.
“Third is good because you are certainly qualified for the Champions League and then we do better than the goal that was set in pre-season.”
Van Gaal has already confirmed that striker Robin van Persie will miss the game due to an ankle injury.
Centre-back Jonny Evans is suspended, while left-back Luke Shaw misses out due to a hamstring problem and Chris Smalling is hoping to recover from illness to take his place in the United line-up.
United can be backed at 2.70 to defeat City on Sunday and are 11.00 to win by a 2-1 scoreline, with captain Wayne Rooney 5.50 to score the first goal of the game.
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