The stage is set for tomorrow’s Manchester derby with both City and United knowing that the result at Old Trafford could help determine who is going to win this seasons Premier League title.
In what many will say is reminiscent of Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho’s tactics, Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has ramped up the mind games with his counterpart at the Etihad by claiming that Manchester City are the favourites for tomorrow’s match despite the fact it is being played at Old Trafford.
The 64-year-old Dutchman also admits that Manchester United cannot be taken seriously until they once more beat City to the Premier League title.
LVG said: “It’s not important who is the favourite, but when you look at the facts, they are first and we are third.
“They are first so they are the favourites I think.
“Whether we can compete (with City), we have to wait and see.
“We have started very well when you compare it with last year, but when you compare it to Manchester City, we are two points behind.
“We have stood first in the table and then we lost to Arsenal. I think we have to wait and see if we can develop as a team.
“We have new players in our squad, we have more young players than last year.
“We have to develop ourselves and we can only say at the end of the season if we have minimised our gap between ourselves and our competitors (City).
“I will be judged by the level of my selection and the results. It is the same with Manchester City.
“You have to invest and you have to sell players, but at the end you have to be better than last year.
“We have made a big step forward from last year, but that is the only positive thing. We have to wait and see if we can continue with that.”
