Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany insists it is a good time to play neighbours United, even though the form book firmly suggests otherwise.
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City’s 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace on Monday night left Manuel Pellegrini’s side fourth in the Premier League table, a point behind United.
They head to Old Trafford for the 169th Manchester derby in their worst form of the season, but that does not bother Kompany.
“A derby is a derby,” he said last night.
“It doesn’t matter what place you are in the league, it’s a derby. If anything, it’s a good moment to go into a derby.
CItyTV are compiling the top five #cityderby goals so let us know your favourite! Where does this one rank … https://t.co/2L0mTHTeyZ
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) April 8, 2015
“I guess the momentum is a little bit with our neighbours at the moment, but it’s the perfect place for us to go and try to rectify what we’ve had.”
While many are now writing off City’s chances of defending their title and even speculating about their ability to hold on to a top-four spot, Kompany insists the players do not doubt themselves.
“We are demanding with ourselves because we have to win,” he added.
“My only concern is we get back to our best form. I think it’s our general form that we have to improve.
“I’ve learnt from the past seasons as well that finishing a season strongly can have an impact on your next season as well.”
Boss Manuel Pellegrini, meanwhile, continues to insist that he is not concerned about speculation surrounding his future.
It’s a stance he has adopted steadfastly through a tough spell that has not only seen them drop way off the pace in the league, but also crash out of the FA Cup with a 2-0 home defeat to Championship Middlesbrough and be hopelessly outclassed by Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions League.
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone was heavily linked with the Etihad Stadium outfit until he agreed to a new long-term deal at the Vicente Calderon.
But nevertheless, the pressure on Pellegrini mounts with every adverse result. Not that the Chilean manager will admit it.
He said: “I’m not concerned about my job. That is one thing I am never concerned with.
“I never have fear about it, I do my work, I’m very happy. The team may have a difficult season but never worry about me.
“We are not thinking about Chelsea, or about the title. We are just trying to win our games.”
Goals from Glenn Murray and Jason Puncheon either side of half-time condemned City to defeat at Selhurst Park.
There may have been a hint of offside about Murray’s goal, with both the striker and Scott Dann possibly just beyond the last man.
Mark Clattenburg will referee the Manchester derby on Sunday in a season that has seen him send off three players from United and City.
The stats that show how #mufc are exerting control: http://t.co/qlzPOb8Tvd pic.twitter.com/ceOj65vov0
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 8, 2015
However, if there were question marks about the first goal, there was nothing wrong with the second three minutes after the interval as Puncheon curled home a superb free-kick.
Murray was also involved in controversy at the other end when the ball hit his arm in the area before Yaya Toure pulled one back for City.
“It was a clear offside. Also it was a clear penalty,” added Pellegrini. “But with the way we played we must win this game.”
By contrast it was another big scalp and a memorable night for Palace, whose revival under manager Alan Pardew shows no sign of letting up.
“We had a couple of breaks tonight – the goal looked offside – but I felt we deserved them,” said Pardew.
