Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has stoked the fire ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby by claiming that David Moyes is under ‘a lot of pressure’ in his new job as Manchester United manager.

Former Everton boss Moyes took over from legendary United manager Sir Alex Ferguson at the end of last season, when Ferguson announced his retirement after winning a remarkable thirty-eight trophies in his twenty-six year reign at Old Trafford.

It is widely accepted that Moyes faces a monumental task in replacing Britain’s most successful manager, and Pellegrini said: ‘It’s impossible not to be under a lot of pressure not only replacing Sir Alex Ferguson but managing a big club like Manchester United. 

Ouch: Yaya Toure tries to catch his breath after being hit in the groin by a ball

 

 

 

‘With big teams, you are always under important pressure. That’s not a bad thing, it’s a good way to work because you know what you have to do.’

Pellegrini and Moyes are set to face off for the first time with their new clubs at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday and the Chilean believes that the eagerly-anticipated derby match represents the first must-win, six-pointer of the season.

‘It’s a match of six points,’ Pellegrini explained, ‘It is very important to win it. Man Utd are a team always looking to win the title and Champions League. Playing at home against Manchester United, it is more important to win than not to lose. Of course, if you can’t win, then it’s better not to lose. We will try to win.

Preparation: Micah Richards jumps in the air (above), while Vincent Kompany appears to almost end up with Stevan Jovetic’s boot in his face (below)

 

‘Every game against Manchester United is important. I do not need to be here to know how important the derby is against Manchester United. Living here and working every day here you know it is a special game.’

United manager Moyes will be confident heading into his first Manchester derby, with the Glaswegian boasting a hugely impressive record against City during his spell with Everton, winning six of his last eight Premier League clashes against the Etihad side.

Nonetheless, Pellegrini was eager to point out that he emerged triumphant when the two managers previously met in the Champions League qualifying match between his Villarreal side and Moyes’ Everton in 2005.

The Spanish side won 4-2 on aggregate, and Pellegrini said: ‘I know he had good results against Manchester City when he managed Everton. I always have a good record against him when he was managing Everton when I was managing Villarreal.

‘It was a very special game. Both teams were playing for the first time in the Champions League. It was a very difficult game, first at Goodison and we finished beating Everton at home.’

Pellegrini also remained undefeated in four clashes against Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United, with Villarreal meeting United in the group stages of the Champions League in the 2005/06 and 2008/09 seasons. The Chilean’s side managed to keep clean sheets in all four games, though his side were also unable to score in four 0-0 draws between the two sides.

Pellegrini’s chances of keeping another clean sheet against United are boosted by the fitness of Vincent Kompany, who came through unscathed after playing ninety minutes in the 3-0 win at Viktoria Plzen, while David Silva and Micah Richards have also returned to full training. City’s only major doubt is Gael Clichy, who returned to training on Friday morning, while centre-back Martin Demichelis is a long-term absentee.

‘Kompany has worked normally all week, played ninety minutes in the Champions League and he has no problems. Vincent is a very important player. He gives the team confidence.

‘Of the players who have been injured, Micah Richards is working normally with the whole squad. David Silva the same. Gael Clichy started working today and he may not be ready for Sunday. Apart from that, all the other players except Martin Demichelis are fine.’