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Red View: City vs United previews, derby wallpaper, Rooney goals video + more

Friday, April 27, 2012


GIGGS FOCUSED ON CITY CLASH

Ryan Giggs may have seen it all before in terms of derbies and title races but he admits there is added spice in Monday's blockbuster clash at Manchester City.

The veteran midfielder is hoping to be involved at the Etihad Stadium as Sir Alex is likely to ponder a recall for one of his most trusted professionals in the heat of battle. Certainly, the 38-year-old is one player who will not be feeling any nerves in the tense build-up, after all he was credited with the winner in a derby as long ago as 1991 - even if it did appear to be an own goal by Colin Hendry.

When asked on MUTV's Countdown to Kick Off if it's one of the most exciting title battles for a while, Giggs replied: "It looks like going to the last game, so you've got to say it's up there. Obviously there's added spice as it's the two Manchester clubs and it's got everyone interested.

"I've been involved in a few title races that have gone to the wire, especially with Arsenal and Newcastle in similar scenarios and everyone was saying it was their title. I think it's up there as one of those races where you just can't call it."

Giggs' eyes are firmly fixed on the prize, which would earn him a scarcely believable 13th championship medal, and is treating this 2011/2012 race like all of the others that have gone before. 

"I don't think it feels too different," he insisted. "The hype around it is multiplied. Everyone is focused on Manchester at the moment so that's a different aspect to it. But, at the end of the day, we're still fighting for the title against another team and we want to get it."

More: City here to stay | United take a break | Global Reds are ready


IRWIN BACKS REDS IN TITANIC BATTLE

United legend Denis Irwin says the Reds can handle the nerves when the pressure is on at the Etihad Stadium...

"I was fortunate to play in 13 Manchester derbies and they were always massive games. But this is the one. This is the biggest I've ever known.

"It's the first time City have ever challenged for the title in the Premier League era and to have the game so late in the season means there's an awful lot at stake. As I say they're always big games and they've got bigger in the last few years but this one is off the Richter scale in terms of importance!

"There's no doubt both sets of players will be nervous. If you're not nervous before a game like this there's something wrong with you. It's human nature to have nerves in this situation. Everyone will have them - the manager, the players and fans. It's how you handle them that's important.

"The manager certainly won't let any nerves show. I always remember him being very calm in the lead-up to big matches. He'll just be telling the players about the importance of playing our own game and trying to stamp our authority on proceedings. In terms of our approach, I know we'll be going out to win the game. Yes, a draw is a decent result but it's not in our nature to go anywhere and play for a draw. We've never done that before and we can't start doing it now. We've got to play our normal game and just see how the game pans out. I think it'll be pretty tight early on, but I expect it to open up a bit in the second half.

"It's hard to call what the score will be. When the top teams have played each other this season we've seen a lot of goals and it actually wouldn't surprise me if Monday night was the same. Usually in big games you'd be expecting a 0-0 or 1-0 scoreline, but I wouldn't be shocked to see the derby finish up at, say, 2-2. And we'd be more than happy with that result of course."

Derby Blogs: Hit City on the break | Reds ahead on experience | The biggest derby ever


OWEN EXPECTS ROONEY RECORDS

Michael Owen believes Wayne Rooney will continue to break goalscoring records at United, but warns that nothing can ever be taken for granted.

The 32-year-old forward has seen Rooney overtake George Best and Dennis Viollet to leap into fourth place in the all-time list at Old Trafford.

"You can only imagine records are going to tumble, the longer he plays," Owen told MUTV. "The longer he stays at the top of his game at a club like this, and on the international stage and the rest of it, he's going to break records.

"I know it can quickly change though. I was looking at the England goalscoring record and I was nine off Sir Bobby [Charlton] and only in my mid-to-late twenties. I was thinking it was a formality when, all of a sudden, Fabio Capello came in and didn't pick me once and it looks a mile off now and is virtually impossible."

Sir Bobby Charlton's record of 249 goals is still some 60 strikes away for Rooney but Owen thinks the top tally is still a realistic target for the Reds' number 10.

"It's certainly manageable if he keeps in great shape and great form," said Owen. "If he plays here another half-a-dozen more years, he's obviously going to go past it and set a real tough target for anyone coming through to beat."

Awards: Vote for your Goal of the Season and Player of the Year before 1 May

 

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