Pearce plotting Old Trafford triumph

MANAGER of the month Stuart Pearce has vowed Manchester City will "have a go" at Manchester United in today's derby at Old Trafford as the Blues look to end a 31-year nightmare at the Theatre of Dreams.

Not since Denis Law backheeled his old club into the Second Division back in 1974 have the Blues supporters enjoyed any success at Old Trafford and their visits across the city generally end in the bitter pain of defeat.

But Pearce's installation as Kevin Keegan's managerial successor has led to a marked increase in expectation around Eastlands.

A 12-match unbeaten run represents City's best top-flight streak for almost three decades and three successive wins following an opening-day draw with West Brom has taken the club to second in the table.

The fantastic record has been enough to earn Pearce his second monthly manager's award despite only being in the job since March.

And while his team remain firm underdogs to end United's 100% start to the season, Pearce insists there should be no feeling of inferiority within the Blues camp.

"Going to Old Trafford is a big test for anybody but there is no reason why we should be daunted by it," he said.

"The players should be full of confidence after what they have achieved recently. I am certainly not going there looking for a draw. We will have a go and try to win."

Whether Pearce's bold intentions become reality remain to be seen.

The former England skipper was credited with being the tactical brains behind City's ultra-defensive approach in last season's corresponding fixture which allowed the visitors to grab an unlikely point from a goalless draw.

It was one of a host of frustrating afternoons in front of goal for United last term as they struggled to turn overwhelming pressure into tangible reward on the scoresheet.

Meanwhile, Alex Ferguson is convinced the intensity of a high-octane Manchester derby will be enough to rescue Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand from their England agony.

The pair returned to United's Carrington training ground yesterday smarting from their World Cup humiliation in Belfast.

Of all the Red Devils' international contingent, they were the ones who had by far the most depressing week away, leaving Ferguson just 48 hours to pick them up ahead of the Old Trafford visit of Stuart Pearce's high-flyers.

It is the magnitude of the occasion which Ferguson believes will release his England duo from their midweek despair - and make the job of lifting their spirits easier.

"It has been a bad week for Rio and Wayne," observed Ferguson. "It was an important week for all the internationals but those two had the worst of the lot, which is something we have to deal with.

"There has to be some motivation for them and in that respect, the derby game will help because it should give them an edge."