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Moyes: 'We are still a force' ahead of derby

A victory over local rivals will show United are still a big team

Manchester United manager David Moyes wants his side to prove they are still a force to be reckoned with by beating Manchester City on Tuesday night.

City are big favourites for the derby at Old Trafford due to their higher league standing and the fact that United have struggled against the top teams in the league this year.

A 1-0 victory against Arsenal aside, Moyes's men have not beaten any of the sides in the top nine in what has been a truly disappointing maiden season for the Scot.

Moyes wants that to change on Tuesday though.

"We want to try and perform better in the bigger games than what we have done," the United manager said.

"It will be important for us to show the level of what we have got.

"I think we have got the level and we are not as far away as many people would have us and I have no doubt it will improve. We want to show we are still in there fighting.

"We will do everything we can to win. We go out to win every game, not just the derby game.

"Obviously it means a lot more to the supporters and the city if you win a derby game."

United will be without top scorer Robin van Persie but in Wayne Rooney, Moyes has a proven match winner in previous Manchester derbies.

"Wayne's form throughout the season has been very good and his goal capped off what everybody is aware he's capable of," the United boss said.

"He's spoken about a lot because of his ability as a footballer. He showed it on Saturday in a way maybe everybody is aware he's capable of, but which many others maybe aren't capable of.

"But more importantly for me is how well he's played for the team - that's a big thing.

"From the first game he's been a great team player. I don't know if he'll be the key man because this game has got many, many top-class players in it, so I wouldn't necessarily say he's the main man, but he's certainly one of them."

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