DERBY WIN IS JESSE THE JOB
JESSE LINGARD has challenged his Manchester United team-mates to extend their strong record at the Etihad Stadium by beating rivals City in today’s derby. The Reds have won seven of their last 15 away derbies and have not lost on the east side of Manchester since November 2014. That record was in jeopardy last season when City – needing a win to confirm themselves as champions – led 2-0 at half-time, only for Paul Pogba to inspire a stunning turnaround and a 3-2 United win.
“The win last season there was a mad feeling and hopefully we can do it again,” Lingard said. “We’ve done well there and it’s just about fine margins sometimes. We kept our mental state last season and got the win in the end. “The way the fans were supporting us, even at 2-0 down, spurred us on.” United will arrive at The Etihad trailing AND THE BAD? Hits the deck against United Apr 2018: City 2 United 3 Dec 2017: United 1 City 2 Apr 2017: City 0 United 0 Oct 2016: United 1 City 0 Sep 2016: United 1 City 2
City – 51 wins United – 72 wins Draws – 52 the league leaders and defending champions by nine points after an uncertain start to the season which put manager Jose Mourinho under pressure.
But they appear to have rediscovered their mojo in recent weeks, sparked by a comeback victory over Newcastle on October 6, and they have won their last three outings.
Lingard, 25 (far left) was back in the starting line-up for United in midweek having recently overcome a groin injury, when they completed another late turnaround – beating Juventus 2-1 in the Champions League.
“I think these big games are what you play for,” he said.
“The more pressure there is, you fire off that pressure. They’re the games you want to be involved in, like everyone else. The most important thing is to believe in ourselves that we can do it. I believe in this team.”
Romelu Lukaku could miss the match with a thigh injury, perhaps providing a chance for Marcus Rashford (left), who scored the winner in United’s 1-0 triumph at City in 2016.
Rashford played only the final eight minutes of last season’s dramatic derby but it is always a special day for the academy product.
“Last season’s derby at City was amazing,” Rashford said. “I was on the bench for that game and I was itching to get on. Winning was the only option for us when we went out in the second half.
“That feeling of being two goals behind was a horrible one and coming back from that was amazing.”