Louis van Gaal’s words ahead of the Manchester derby won’t fill United fans with optimism

Louis van Gaal has claimed that Manchester City are favourites ahead of Sunday's Manchester derby, despite it being held at Old Trafford.

After hinting in midweek that United were at a disadvantage to their neighbours due to their Champions League game in Moscow, the Dutchman has now admitted that facts indicate that Manuel Pellegrini's side are better. "When you look at the facts, they are first and we are second or third. There is also the goal difference and theirs is better. They are first so they are the favourites I think." The loss of David Silva and Sergio Aguero - a man responsible for a sizeable amount of City's goals this season - is sure to buoy the United manager ahead of the 170th meeting between the pair. Having triumphed over City in the corresponding fixture last year, it's likely that Van Gaal may have been taking a leaf out of one of his predecssor's book of mind games.