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Manchester United's Ander Herrera admits Manchester City are derby favourites

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Ander Herrera
Image: Ander Herrera called on Manchester United to build on their win over Juventus

Ander Herrera says Manchester City may be favourites for Sunday's derby but Manchester United remain the biggest club in the UK.

Pep Guardiola's City lie in wait at the Etihad Stadium, where United will look to build on their stunning Champions League win at Juventus.

Victory is a welcome boost ahead of their game with City, a side that United shocked 3-2 in April.

Laporte: City out for revenge in Manchester derby

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Jose Mourinho insisted his ear-cupping gesture at Juventus was not offensive, saying he just wanted to see how the Italian fans would react

"I don't like to compare situations," Herrera said, reflecting on the win that delayed City's Premier League title celebrations last term.

"It's a new game, a new situation. Hopefully, we can win.

"It's true that they are the favourites because they are in unbelievable form, but this is Manchester United and you never know what can happen."

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The trip to the Etihad offers United the chance to secure another statement win and silence critics that had grown during a poor start to the season.

"When you play for Manchester United, the biggest club in the UK and one of the biggest in the world, you have to get used to that," said Herrera.

"I have been here five years and with [Louis] Van Gaal every day the papers talking.

"When Mourinho came, the same and we won titles. One day if another manager comes, they will speak so it's something we are used to coping with.

"I think Manchester United players need to have the personality to cope with that. It's true when our Premier League opponents lose games, the papers don't talk that much, but when we lose, they do."

Paul Pogba surges forward during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium
Image: United were 3-2 winners at the Etihad Stadium last season

United have, though, suffered striking losses this season and underperformed at times, which is why they are out of the Carabao Cup and seventh in the Premier League.

"We are the real Manchester United also in the bad moments because we have to recognise that we have had bad moments and we have to improve," the Spaniard added.

"It's true that the last results gave us good spirit, energy, but the real Manchester United we will see at the end of the season if we can say that we had a good season."

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