Wayne Rooney wants to put a smile back on the faces of Manchester United fans by beating City when the sides meet in the 165th Manchester derby on Sunday.
The United and England captain has enjoyed himself against the current Premier League champions, scoring 11 goals down the years, including his incredible overhead kick winner in 2011.
A United victory at Old Trafford would ensure an unwanted record of five successive defeats to their arch rivals does not materialise, and Rooney is aware of the bragging rights at stake.
“We want to give United fans something to smile about when they go to work on Monday morning, we want them to be the ones to be able to give out the banter to Manchester City fans at work,” the 29-year-old told MUFCTV.
“I think it’s a very important game for Manchester United and Manchester City...for the fans and, for me, it’s a massive game of pride.”
Despite City’s recent dominance over their arch rivals, including a 1-0 victory at the Etihad in November, United go into the game as slight favourites with the sides boasting very contrasting recent form.
The Red Devils have won their last five league games and leapfrogged Manuel Pellegrini's side into third over the weekend as a result of City’s fourth consecutive away defeat at Crystal Palace on Monday.
Louis Van Gaal has Robin Van Persie at his disposal after the Dutch striker’s return from injury, but the United boss is unlikely to change his front three of Rooney, Juan Mata and Ashley Young which has reaped so much recent success.
The United and England captain has enjoyed himself against the current Premier League champions, scoring 11 goals down the years, including his incredible overhead kick winner in 2011.
A United victory at Old Trafford would ensure an unwanted record of five successive defeats to their arch rivals does not materialise, and Rooney is aware of the bragging rights at stake.
“We want to give United fans something to smile about when they go to work on Monday morning, we want them to be the ones to be able to give out the banter to Manchester City fans at work,” the 29-year-old told MUFCTV.
“I think it’s a very important game for Manchester United and Manchester City...for the fans and, for me, it’s a massive game of pride.”
Despite City’s recent dominance over their arch rivals, including a 1-0 victory at the Etihad in November, United go into the game as slight favourites with the sides boasting very contrasting recent form.
The Red Devils have won their last five league games and leapfrogged Manuel Pellegrini's side into third over the weekend as a result of City’s fourth consecutive away defeat at Crystal Palace on Monday.
Louis Van Gaal has Robin Van Persie at his disposal after the Dutch striker’s return from injury, but the United boss is unlikely to change his front three of Rooney, Juan Mata and Ashley Young which has reaped so much recent success.
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