With 8 appearances against Man City under his belt, Nicky Butt is still salivating at the prospect of Monday night’s title decider.
With points dropped by both sides along the way, the game at the Etihad appears to have boiled down to a winner takes all affair with Man City needing a win to return to the top of the table whilst United simply have to avoid defeat.
Losing just once to City in those 8 appearances, Butt knows what it takes to overcome our blue neighbours and spoke to the MEN about what United need to do to emerge unscathed from their trip across town:
“As good as I think City are in that area, I don’t think United should be frightened of them.
“I think they need to get in amongst them, get in their faces and don’t be scared of the occasion.
“I think the advantage United could have is that if Mancini plays three in the centre of midfield, which is probable, then United will have space on the flanks for players like Antonio Valencia and Nani to exploit. It would suit them.
“I would love to be playing in this one.
“I played in a few Manchester derbies but never one as big as this. I’d have loved it.”
Of course with no bias at all Butt, who made 387 appearances for United, believes United can get the job done and it is all down to one factor:
“United always get a result in the big games when they need one.
“And that is down to the manager. Sir Alex Ferguson buys the right players and the right characters and that never-say-die spirit gets ingrained in you.
“When you get out on the pitch you carry the club’s history and traditions on your shoulders with you and the manager will only have players who can deal with that.
“The mentality and work ethic comes from him and on these occasions it comes through.
“I just don’t see United losing on Monday night.”
