Louis van Gaal is increasingly confident Manchester United will look to twist the knife in Manchester City’s side when the derby rivals clash in Sunday’s Premier League showdown at Old Trafford.
A run of five consecutive victories has taken United above City for the first time this season and another success this weekend would further blacken the storm clouds gathering over the Etihad Stadium.
City’s 2-1 loss at Crystal Palace on Monday left them nine points behind leaders Chelsea having played a game more, effectively ending their title defence, and they now face a battle to secure a Champions League place.
Fourth in the table, Manuel Pellegrini’s team enjoy a seven-point lead over fifth-place Liverpool, but both Arsenal and United have stolen a march on them in the race for automatic Champions League qualification and defeat on Sunday would leave them vulnerable to attack from below.
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“I dream of it. Every player shall dream of the victory,” said United manager Van Gaal, whose side are a point above City in third place.
“I have to think with my staff and players already a lot of days how we have to beat Man City.
“You are sitting in that process to beat your next opponent and of course you want to win because it is a big step in the table also.
“When you win, the third place is then reachable and a month ago nobody was thinking about that; besides me, of course.”
After five losses in seven games for his side, City manager Pellegrini has found himself the subject of media speculation that his days at the Etihad are already numbered.
But although defeat at Van Gaal’s hands would further weaken the Chilean’s position, there is reason for optimism in City’s recent derby record.
Victory would give City five straight league wins against United for the first time and they have won on their last three visits to Old Trafford, scoring 11 goals.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Rain Management
Year started: 2017
Based: Bahrain
Employees: 100-120
Amount raised: $2.5m from BitMex Ventures and Blockwater. Another $6m raised from MEVP, Coinbase, Vision Ventures, CMT, Jimco and DIFC Fintech Fund
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Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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