Louis van Gaal believes Manchester City's poor form gives United a big chance to snatch a win at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
City have won five of their last six league meetings with United, but they go into Sunday's game on a bad run of form.
Manuel Pellegrini's team stretched their winless streak to three matches on Wednesday when they were knocked out of the Capital One Cup by Newcastle. And you get the impression Van Gaal thinks City are there for the taking.
'We have a good feeling about this match.''It is not the greatest moment of Manchester City,' he said. "What we have seen of Manchester City in the last matches was not so good.
It will be the first time Van Gaal has been in the dugout for a Manchester derby and the Dutchman could field up to five derby debutants for the hotly-contested clash.
But he is sure they will all understand what the fixture means to the club after a pep talk from assistant manager Ryan Giggs this week.
'Ryan Giggs presented the analysis of Manchester City, and I felt more tension (about the derby) with him. It was good to see that,' Van Gaal said.'He knows it, he has the experience as a player and now maybe as an assistant manager.
Van Gaal told a press conference on Friday afternoon: 'Rooney is fine, he was never injured.''Maybe he was wearing his shoes too tight. He is my captain and he will start the game''.
'Falcao is still injured but [Antonio] Valencia is back.'
The United skipper has scored 11 goals against the Blues, the most notable of which came in February 2011 when he put away a spectacular overhead kick to seal a 2-1 win at Old Trafford.
'I have heard that also he has scored a lot of goals against Manchester City, the most of any player,' said Van Gaal, whose claim is accurate.
'I said that to him to stimulate him but he doesn't need that.
'I am very happy that he can play again and he shall play.'
Van Gaal, looking forward to his first Manchester derby, says it will be the biggest local rivalry that he has managed, and recognises what it means to the city.
'This is the biggest derby that I shall manage. It is one of 38 [league] matches we have to play, but for the fans it is unbelievably big as a rivalry and I have felt that also with a lot of the players in the squad, but also especially with Ryan Giggs.
'When he presented the analysis on City, I felt more tension with him. It was good to see.'
One player who could be key to United's chances is Marouane Fellaini, whose performances over the past two games have seen him back to his best. Van Gaal things so too
'He has made a great contribution and also the assist for the [Chelsea] goal.
'He has had a lot of time out injured but when he is fit I have played him. He has to continue with that because then I am very pleased'.
United lost their two clashes with City by an aggregate score of 7-1 last term; 4-1 at the Etihad and 3-0 at Old Trafford under David Moyes.
Midfielder David Silva will miss Sunday's derby after being ruled out for around three weeks with a knee injury.
Fellow midfielder Yaya Toure is expected to feature despite being withdrawn during Wednesday's Capital One Cup loss to Newcastle amid concerns about a groin problem.
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