Van Gaal: Derby Is The 'Talk Of The Town'

Louis van Gaal says Sunday’s Manchester derby is “the talk of the town” – but the United boss won’t get carried away by the emotion of the occasion.

The Reds can go above current Barclays Premier League leaders City with victory in the 170th meeting between the two sides at Old Trafford.

United have had less time to prepare for the big game than the Blues, having only flown home from Moscow on Thursday after the 1-1 Champions League draw with CSKA, but But van Gaal is confident his players will be ready.

“I think for the fans it’s very emotional,” van Gaal said at his pre-match press conference. “I live in a little village and it’s the talk of the town there.

“But for me it’s not an issue because I have to work more rationally and not emotionally. We have to prepare our game; we have one day less, so it is more difficult.

“We have to do the meetings in a shorter time. It is also more difficult for the players, but we have to do that. That is what we are doing and we hope that we can beat Manchester City.”

The boss added in his exclusive weekly interview with MUTV: “In Manchester people are talking of the match. I can imagine that because Manchester City have a lot of fans, but Manchester United has more fans so it shall be a battle.

“I don’t think it is a big issue for us that Manchester City have started well, because you can expect that from a club like City. It’s not only a derby, but a match that can see who can be ready to go top of the table.

“Last year we had a very good derby, of course, a 4-2 win, and that is very important for the fans. I hope we can do that again but it is always difficult.

“[If United win] I shall take a very big glass of wine and toast our victory.”