Manchester United bosss Louis Van Gaal insists he is “not jealous” of neighbors Manchester City's squad, claiming to be proud of his very own players ahead of their clash with the defending champions.
The Dutch manager made these comments as he prepares his team for Sunday's all-important Manchester derby at the Etihad, as the Red Devils aim to gain ground on Manuel Pellegrini's crew in the table, whom they trail by four points.
“I am not jealous of the squad of Manchester City,” Van Gaal insisted.
“I am proud of my players and that is the most important thing and when we play like a team then we have a big chance to win. Our goal is to win this game. It is possible, we are growing, we are developing ourselves, I think.
“What we have seen of Manchester City in the last matches was not so good. But that was also the case last year, Ryan Giggs has warned me. So you never know."
Manchester United, despite being without Radamel Falcao who was declared injured for Sunday's clash, will welcome club captain Wayne Rooney back to the squad after completing his suspension.
The Citizens, on the other hand, will be without influential Spanish playmaker David Silva, who Pellegrini confirmed will be out for up to four weeks, while doubts still remain over Yaya Toure's fitness.
A player who looks definite to start the derby is record British signing Angel Di Maria. The Argentine has been a hit ever since his Old Trafford arrival, scoring three goals and registering four assists in seven appearances so far.
The former Real Madrid ace, prior to putting pen to paper on a Red Devils contract costing the 20-time English Premier League champions £59.7m, was offered to Manchester City, but according to their Chilean boss, financial restrictions stood in their way of acquiring the 26-year-old La Albiceleste attacker.
“We have an important restriction about budget this year. We cannot spend the money that United paid for Di Maria."
