DE BRUYNE WARY OF THREAT POSED BY WOUNDED UNITED

KEVIN DE BRUYNE has urged Manchester City to correct their patchy derby record at Old Trafford today. City lost both Premier League matches against Manchester United last season as they surrendered the title to Liverpool. De Bruyne is aware United will be a wounded animal after their midweek Champions League disappointment. ‘They won last year, so we need to try to make that right,’ the Belgian said. ‘We made a couple of mistakes and it was difficult to come back. We need to be careful because, given everything that has happened this week, it is a good game for them to flick the switch. ‘They will want to show a different side to what happened in Leipzig and we need to be aware of that. The derby has become bigger with us doing so well and battling for titles. I don’t think anyone needs to tell any player how important the derby is.’ United have favoured a counter-attacking style in recent derbies but De Bruyne says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side can operate in a more attractive way this time. ‘They have some new players and maybe they will play a bit more offensively,’ he said. Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, threw his support behind the under-fire Solskjaer. ‘He’s an exceptional manager,’ Guardiola said. ‘I know, Ole knows, everyone knows it depends on results but I have a high opinion about his work. ‘When we win, we’re geniuses, and when we lose, we have to be sacked. It happens at United and all clubs around the world.’