De Bruyne primed to shine in Manchester derby

MANCHESTER City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne is relishing the chance to inspire his first derby victory against Manchester United when the Premier League leaders visit Old Trafford this weekend.

De Bruyne will experience the hostility and passion of the Manchester derby for the first time on Monday following his £55 million ($124 million) move from Wolfsburg in August.

The Belgian has already made a big impact at City and added to his popularity with the stoppage-time goal that clinched a crucial Champions League win against Sevilla on Thursday.

From the Denis Law flick that effectively relegated United in 1974 all the way through to Mario Balotelli’s unveiling of his ‘‘why always me’’ t-shirt during a 6-1 romp four years ago, City fans have always reserved a special place in their hearts for players who can inflict misery on the old enemy.

Now De Bruyne, who has five goals in nine appearances for Manuel Pellegrini’s side, has set his sights on joining the select group of City stars who have tormented United.

‘‘I am very excited. These are the moments you live for as a Tomorrow: Aston Villa v Swansea, Leicester v Crystal Palace, Norwich v West Brom, Stoke v Watford, West Ham v Chelsea. Monday: Sunderland v Newcastle, Bournemouth v Tottenham, Manchester United v Manchester City, Liverpool v Southampton. player,’’ De Bruyne said. ‘‘There will be a lot of atmosphere.’’

City have won on three of their past four visits to Old Trafford, but they lost 4-2 there last season, a result United surprisingly achieved without a goal from Wayne Rooney.

With 11 career goals in the Manchester derby, Rooney has been a constant menace to City and the United captain, whose brilliant overhead kick to win the derby in 2011, would dearly love to mark his 30th birthday today with another memorable contribution.

A Rooney-inspired triumph would be especially timely as Louis van Gaal’s team will leapfrog City to the top of the table if they win and Arsenal drop points against Everton on Saturday.

After a dismal start to their title defence, Chelsea can only look on enviously as their rivals step up their bids to take the trophy from Stamford Bridge.

The Blues, who face West Ham, are languishing 10 points behind City in 12th place after a campaign scarred by lacklustre displays, rumours of dressing room rifts and outbursts from the increasingly tetchy Jose Mourinho.

On Monday, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will take charge of his first home Premier League match when Southampton visit Anfield.