Reds boss up for derby crunch

DAVID Moyes has hit back at Manuel Pellegrini’s claim that Manchester United's glory days are a thing of the past.

United and City clash at Old Trafford tonight and both teams have very different things to play for. A win for City would put them within three points of Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea, over whom they have three matches in hand. For United, the 167th derby is all about pride.

The Red Devils are 12 points behind their neighbours and their chances of making the top four this year are thin after a dismal debut season for Moyes.

The root of Moyes’ misery this season has been United’s form. Other than a 1–0 win over Arsenal, United have failed to beat any of the top nine sides in the league.

High–profile defeats to City last September, Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and the recent 3–0 humbling against Liverpool have left a mark on the United manager.

“They have definitely hurt,” Moyes said. “They have hurt more because I joined Manchester United with big expectations myself – that I was coming to the winning football club.”